FEDER grants for dual-use technology infrastructure 2026: who can apply and how

Key data

SMEs, startups and research centers working in artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, cybersecurity or space technologies now have access to a new line of public financing. The Order TDF/811/2026, of July 22, published on August 1, 2026, sets the regulatory bases for subsidizing the creation of R&D infrastructure in dual-use technologies, that is, technologies with application in both the civil sector and in the defense field.

The financing comes from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) 2021-2027, specifically from Specific Objective 1.7, focused on industrial defense and dual-use capabilities. The intermediate body in charge of managing these grants is Red.es. The strategic framework that supports this call is the Strategy for Technology and Innovation for Defense 2026 and European economic security policy.

What does this regulation establish?

Order TDF/811/2026 does not yet open a specific call with defined amounts: it establishes the regulatory bases, that is, the rules that will govern all future calls under this line of grants. This is relevant because interested entities must start preparing now, before the specific call is published.

The grants are aimed at financing the creation of infrastructure to research, test and experiment with dual-use technologies. The technologies expressly contemplated in the regulation are:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Robotics
• Quantum computing
• Cybersecurity
• Space technologies

Projects applying for these grants must demonstrate two key elements: technology maturation (demonstrate that the technology has a sufficient level of development) and knowledge transfer (that the results will have real impact on the national technology ecosystem).

The award scheme is competitive procedure: projects compete with each other and the best-rated ones are financed according to the criteria set by each call. There is no automatic distribution or first-come-first-served basis.

Economic and operational impact

This regulation represents a structural financing opportunity for the national technology ecosystem, especially for those entities working at the intersection between civil technology and defense applications. The support of FEDER 2021-2027 guarantees that funds will be available for several years, this is not a one-off call.

From an operational perspective, the most immediate impact is the need for prior preparation. Since it is a competitive procedure, entities that arrive better prepared for the call will have a decisive advantage. This implies:

• Precisely defining the infrastructure project to be created
• Documenting the technology maturity level (TRL) of the technologies involved
• Articulating the knowledge transfer plan
• Identifying possible partners (universities, companies, technology centers) to strengthen the application

The fact that Red.es acts as an intermediate body indicates that management will follow the usual procedures of this body, with which many technology companies are already familiar from other FEDER calls.

Who does it affect?

The regulation explicitly defines the universe of entities that can access these grants. They are as follows:

• Universities with activity in technological R&D
• R&D centers public and private
• Technology centers of the national ecosystem
• SMEs in the technology sector
• Technology startups
• Large companies in the national technology ecosystem

The common denominator is participation in the national technology ecosystem and working in one of the dual-use technologies contemplated (AI, robotics, quantum computing, cybersecurity, space technologies). These are not grants exclusive to defense companies: any technology company whose activity may have dual application can apply.

Practical example

A Spanish cybersecurity startup that develops threat detection solutions applicable to both civil critical infrastructure (hospitals, electrical networks) and military communication systems could apply for these grants to build a testing and experimentation laboratory where to test its solutions in controlled environments.

For its application to be competitive, the startup should: document the technology maturity level of its tools (for example, TRL 4-6), present a knowledge transfer plan that includes publications, training or agreements with universities, and consider the possibility of applying as a consortium with a technology center or university to strengthen the R&D dimension of the project.

The same scheme applies to a technology center that wants to create a testing platform for autonomous robotic systems, or to a university that wishes to equip a quantum computing laboratory with experimentation capacity in dual-use applications.

What should companies do now?

1. Evaluate if your activity fits: Check if your company or entity works in AI, robotics, quantum computing, cybersecurity or space technologies with dual-use potential. If so, these grants are for you.
2. Document your technology maturity level: Calls will require accrediting the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of your projects. Start systematizing this documentation now.
3. Define the infrastructure project: Identify what research, testing or experimentation infrastructure you need to create and what its impact would be on your technological capacity.
4. Identify potential partners: Consortiums between companies, universities and technology centers usually score better in competitive procedures. Explore strategic alliances.
5. Familiarize yourself with Red.es: As the managing body, Red.es will publish specific calls. Subscribe to their alerts and review their usual justification procedures.
6. Prepare the knowledge transfer plan: This is an explicit requirement of the regulation. Define how the results of your project will benefit the technology ecosystem (publications, training, licensing agreements, etc.).

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-2026-16837