Key data
| Regulation | Royal Decree 593/2026, of July 15 |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 17, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 17, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Scientific and research entities financed by the State: COSCE, RAICEX and entities equivalent to Royal Academies in the regional scope |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Enabling regulatory framework | Article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law |
| Strategic plan | State Plan for R&D&i 2024-2027, strategic objective 4 (institutional strengthening) |
| State aid consideration | No (according to the TFEU) |
The Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE) and the RAICEX Network of Spanish researchers abroad will be able to receive direct state funding without competing in public tenders. This is established by Royal Decree 593/2026, published in the BOE on July 17, 2026 and effective immediately.
The regulation does not create a new subsidy category: it uses a mechanism already provided for in the General Subsidies Law (article 22.2.c), which allows direct granting when there are proven reasons of public or social interest and the nature of the beneficiary entity makes it difficult or impossible to organize a competitive tender. What the Royal Decree does is activate that mechanism explicitly and in a regulated manner for this specific group of entities.
What does this regulation establish?
The Royal Decree empowers the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to grant direct subsidies to a set of entities of singular nature linked to research and knowledge. The beneficiaries identified in the regulation are as follows:
| Beneficiary entity | Description |
|---|---|
| Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE) | Umbrella organization of the main Spanish scientific societies |
| RAICEX Network | Network of associations of Spanish researchers and scientists abroad |
| Entities equivalent to Royal Academies in the regional scope | Organizations that exercise in their autonomous communities functions analogous to national Royal Academies |
The justification for direct granting rests on two pillars: the proven public and social interest of these entities, and the objective difficulty of organizing a competitive tender for organizations of such singular nature. There is no other comparable entity with which they can compete on equal terms.
The subsidies are framed within the State Plan for R&D&i 2024-2027, specifically in strategic objective 4: institutional strengthening. Their purpose is to guarantee the human and material resources necessary for the continuous operation of these organizations.
From the perspective of European law, the regulation explicitly clarifies that these subsidies are not considered state aid according to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which eliminates the obligation of prior notification to the European Commission and simplifies the granting procedure.
Economic and operational impact
The Royal Decree does not set specific subsidy amounts in its text: the amount of each subsidy will be determined in the individual granting resolutions issued by the Ministry. However, the operational impact is immediate and relevant for the affected entities:
- Elimination of competitive burden: COSCE, RAICEX and the regional entities equivalent to Royal Academies will not have to compete in open tenders or compete with other organizations for funds.
- Continuous operation financing: The subsidies are designed to cover human and material resources, which implies recurring and structural financing, not punctual or project-based.
- Reinforced legal certainty: By regulating direct granting through Royal Decree, greater legal solidity is provided to the financial relationship between the Ministry and these entities, reducing annual budget uncertainty.
- No obligation to notify the EU: The express exclusion from the state aid regime speeds up granting timelines and eliminates the risk of challenge by third parties before the European Commission.
Who does it affect?
- COSCE (Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain): direct and explicit beneficiary of the regulation.
- RAICEX Network: network of Spanish researchers abroad, also a direct beneficiary.
- Regional entities equivalent to Royal Academies: organizations that in their communities exercise functions analogous to national Royal Academies.
- Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities: granting body, which gains the capacity to finance directly without calling for a tender.
- Managers and directors of non-profit scientific entities: must know if their organization fits into any of the enabled categories to request to benefit from this mechanism.
- Legal and financial advisors in the scientific public sector: must update their procedures for justification and control of direct subsidies.
Practical example
Imagine that COSCE needs to finance its technical secretariat and coordination activities between scientific societies during fiscal year 2027. Before Royal Decree 593/2026, the Ministry had to organize an open tender in which, in theory, any scientific confederation could participate. The problem: there is no other entity comparable to COSCE in Spain, which made the competitive tender an empty formality.
With the new Royal Decree, the Ministry can directly issue a granting resolution in favor of COSCE, supported by article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law and by Royal Decree 593/2026 itself. The entity receives financing for its personnel and operating expenses without needing to compete, and the Ministry acts with full legal coverage. The same scheme applies to RAICEX to sustain the network of Spanish researchers abroad.
What should entities do now?
- Verify if your entity fits into one of the three enabled categories (COSCE, RAICEX or regional equivalent to Royal Academy). If so, you have legal basis to request direct financing from the Ministry.
- Contact the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to learn about the application procedure and the criteria for quantifying subsidies, which are not set in the Royal Decree itself.
- Review the bylaws and legal nature of your entity to prove that it meets the singularity and public interest requirements that justify direct granting.
- Prepare documentation for justifying personnel and material expenses, since direct subsidies are subject to the control mechanisms of the General Subsidies Law even though they do not come from competitive tenders.
- Seek legal advice on the compatibility of these subsidies with other sources of public financing that the entity may receive, to avoid exceeding the permitted accumulation limits.
Frequently asked questions
What entities can receive direct subsidies under Royal Decree 593/2026?
The three enabled categories are: the Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE), the RAICEX Network of Spanish researchers abroad, and entities that act in the regional scope as equivalents to national Royal Academies. Outside these categories, the regulation does not enable additional direct grants.
Why are these subsidies granted without competitive tender?
Because article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law allows direct granting when there are proven reasons of public or social interest and the singular nature of the entity makes a competitive tender unfeasible. In this case, there are no other comparable entities with which COSCE or RAICEX could compete on equal terms.
Are these subsidies considered state aid under European regulations?
No. Royal Decree 593/2026 itself explicitly establishes that these subsidies are not considered state aid according to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This eliminates the obligation of prior notification to the European Commission and speeds up the granting procedure.
What strategic plan do these subsidies fall under?
They fall under the State Plan for R&D&i 2024-2027, specifically under strategic objective 4, dedicated to institutional strengthening. Their purpose is to guarantee the human and material resources necessary for the continuous operation of the beneficiary entities.
When does Royal Decree 593/2026 enter into force?
Royal Decree 593/2026 entered into force on the same day of its publication in the BOE: July 17, 2026. There is no transitional period: the authorization to grant direct subsidies is effective from that date.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15576