Morocco in PRIMA 2026: real opportunities for Spanish companies and researchers

Key data

Spanish research entities seeking European funding for projects in the Mediterranean area have a new window open: Morocco is now an official partner of the PRIMA program (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area). The Council Decision (EU) 2026/2217, of 17 February 2026, authorizes the signing and provisional application of the agreement that makes this integration possible.

The operational key is that the agreement applies provisionally from 17 February 2026, without waiting for full formal ratification. This means that PRIMA calls with Moroccan participation can already be activated, and interested entities must be prepared to respond.

What does this regulation establish?

The EU Council has authorized through this Decision the signing and provisional application of an exchange of notes between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. This instrument amends and complements the existing bilateral scientific and technological cooperation agreement between both parties.

The specific objective is to establish the conditions under which Morocco participates in PRIMA, the European initiative that finances R&D projects in the Mediterranean region. The thematic areas covered by PRIMA are:

• Water: water management, water use efficiency, sustainable irrigation systems
• Food: Mediterranean food systems, food security
• Sustainable agriculture: agronomic practices adapted to the Mediterranean climate

The exchange of notes mechanism is an international legal instrument that allows previous agreements to be amended in an agile manner, without the need to renegotiate the entire treaty. Provisional application is the figure that allows the agreement to have legal and practical effects before the formal ratification process is completed in all Member States.

Economic and operational impact

Morocco's incorporation into PRIMA does not generate direct costs for Spanish companies, but it does open opportunities for EU co-financed funding that did not previously exist with this specific partner.

The most relevant operational implications are:

• New accessible calls: Spanish-Moroccan consortia can now apply for PRIMA funding on equal terms with other Mediterranean partners in the program.
• Reduction of administrative barriers: With Morocco formally integrated into PRIMA, eligibility procedures for joint projects are simplified compared to the previous situation.
• Competitive advantage for early action: The first calls after a new partner's incorporation usually have less competition. Entities that already have relationships with Moroccan partners are in an advantageous position.
• Sectors with greater potential: Companies and institutes in the agri-food and water management sectors benefit most directly, given that these are PRIMA's core thematic areas.

Who does it affect?

• Technology centers with research lines in water, food or sustainable agriculture
• Spanish universities with research groups in agricultural sciences, water engineering or food technology
• Innovative companies in the agri-food sector that develop R&D+i projects and seek European funding
• Water management and water technology companies with interest in the market or scientific collaboration with Morocco
• Technology transfer offices (OTRIs) of universities and public research centers
• Consultancies specialized in European projects that manage participation in R&D programs for third parties

Practical example

A Spanish technology center specialized in efficient irrigation that maintains contact with a Moroccan university of agronomy can now formalize a consortium and apply for a PRIMA call in the area of water and sustainable agriculture.

Before this Decision, Morocco was not integrated into PRIMA as a full partner, which limited the eligibility of these consortia or complicated participation procedures. With provisional application already in force since 17 February 2026, that same consortium can:

1. Identify the next open PRIMA call in the water or agri-food areas
2. Include the Moroccan entity as an eligible partner without additional restrictions
3. Request European co-financing for the joint project

The practical result is access to European public funding for projects that previously required more complex legal structures or were simply not eligible under PRIMA.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if your entity fits within PRIMA's thematic areas (water, food, sustainable agriculture). If so, this regulation affects you directly and you must act.
2. Review open or upcoming PRIMA calls on the program's official website to identify concrete opportunities with Moroccan partner participation.
3. Map possible partners in Morocco: universities, research centers or companies with which there is already a relationship or interest in R&D collaboration.
4. Contact your organization's European Projects Office or a specialized consultancy to assess eligibility and prepare a competitive proposal.
5. Act quickly: provisional application has been in force since 17 February 2026. The first calls after Morocco's incorporation may have upcoming deadlines.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602217