Navarran Science Law 2026: what changes for innovative companies

Key data

Innovative companies and technology centers in Navarra have a new regulatory framework to review. The Foral Law 2/2026, of March 23, modifies the Foral Law 15/2018, of June 27, on Science and Technology of Navarra, updating the rules of the game for research, development and innovation in the foral community.

This is not a minor change: the reform touches four areas with direct impact on the operations of any organization with R&D&i activity in Navarra: governance of the system, conditions for research personnel, project financing and relationship with public research organizations.

What does this regulation establish?

Foral Law 2/2026 updates the regulatory framework governing research, development and innovation in Navarra. It replaces and modifies provisions of the Foral Law 15/2018, which has been in force since June 2018. The specific areas covered by the reform are as follows:

The regulation was approved on March 23, 2026 and published in the BOE on April 25, 2026. The date of entry into force has not been specified in the official publication, so it is recommended to consult the official source directly.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this reform is not uniform for all actors in the Navarran R&D&i ecosystem. Depending on the type of organization, operational and economic effects vary:

• Technology companies with R&D&i projects in Navarra: They must review their procedures for relations with public research organizations and verify whether the requirements for accessing financing or subsidies have changed.
• Technology and research centers: They may be affected in their internal governance, in the conditions of research personnel and in project financing mechanisms.
• Navarran universities: The new framework may involve changes in how research projects are managed and in the conditions of research personnel linked to the university.
• Companies participating in subsidy calls: Calls for subsidies linked to scientific and technological activities in Navarra may be modified, both in requirements and access conditions.

No specific economic figures associated with this reform have been published in the available information. The actual economic impact will depend on subsequent regulatory development and specific calls published under the new framework.

Who does it affect?

Foral Law 2/2026 directly affects the following profiles and organizations with activity in Navarra:

• Researchers and scientific personnel developing their activity in Navarra
• Universities with headquarters or activity in the Foral Community of Navarra
• Technology centers and public research organizations in Navarra
• Innovative companies collaborating with public research organizations in Navarra
• Technology companies participating in R&D&i grant and subsidy calls in Navarra
• Managers of scientific projects financed with Navarran public funds

If your company operates in Navarra and has R&D&i activity, collaborates with Navarran research centers or participates in technology subsidy calls in the foral territory, this reform directly affects you.

Practical example

A Navarran technology company that regularly collaborates with a public research center in the foral community for the development of R&D&i projects currently has a collaboration agreement based on the conditions established by the Foral Law 15/2018.

With the entry into force of the Foral Law 2/2026, that company must:

1. Review whether the conditions of the collaboration agreement with the public research organization remain valid under the new regulatory framework.
2. Verify whether the requirements for participating in the next R&D&i subsidy call in Navarra have changed compared to the previous conditions.
3. Check whether the conditions of research personnel working on the joint project are affected by changes in the regulation of research careers.

Failing to act in time could result in being excluded from a subsidy call or failing to comply with new requirements for relations with public research organizations, with the consequent risk to project financing.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether your company is within the scope of application: If you have R&D&i activity in Navarra, collaborate with Navarran technology centers or participate in scientific subsidy calls in the foral territory, this regulation affects you.
2. Review current collaboration agreements with public research organizations: Check whether the current conditions of your agreements are compatible with the new framework established by Foral Law 2/2026.
3. Verify the conditions of research personnel: If you have research personnel on staff or in collaborative projects, review whether the new conditions of the law affect their contracts or working conditions.
4. Monitor upcoming calls for grants and subsidies: R&D&i calls in Navarra may change their requirements under the new framework. Stay informed of publications from the Government of Navarra.
5. Consult with a specialist advisor in R&D&i regulations: Given that the date of entry into force is not specified and regulatory development may add specific requirements, it is advisable to have specialized advice to anticipate changes.