CDTI 2026: what changes for companies applying for R&D&I funding

Key data

Companies that fund their innovation through CDTI have been operating since 1 April 2026 under a new regulatory framework. Real Decreto 263/2026 approves the new Statute of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación, the main public instrument for business R&D&I funding in Spain.

The change is significant: the statute regulates how CDTI is internally organised, who decides what, the criteria used to evaluate projects, and how the body that manages loans, grants and technology venture capital investments operates. If your company depends on this funding, this decree directly affects you.

What does this regulation establish?

Real Decreto 263/2026 approves the new CDTI Statute as a public business entity attached to the Ministry of Science. The changes are structured around four main areas:

CDTI is the main gateway for Spanish companies to access public funding for innovation. It manages three types of instruments:

• Loans for business R&D&I projects
• Direct grants for innovation projects
• Technology venture capital investments for startups and technology-based companies

In addition, CDTI acts as the national contact point for European innovation funding programmes, particularly Horizonte Europa, the European Union's largest research and innovation programme.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this decree is not a new fee or penalty: it is a change in the rules of the game for accessing public innovation funding. This has concrete operational consequences:

• Application procedures: The internal evaluation criteria and procedures are updated. Companies with applications in progress must verify whether the new framework affects their files.
• Project evaluation: The new statute may modify the criteria used by CDTI to assess the eligibility and viability of submitted projects.
• Management of European programmes: SMEs and startups participating in Horizonte Europa through CDTI must be aware of the new framework governing the managing body's operations.
• Technology venture capital: Companies that have received or are applying for CDTI equity participation operate under the new statutory regime.

This is not a change that generates immediate direct costs, but it may affect the timelines, requirements and evaluation criteria for the grants applied for. Ignoring it may result in avoidable delays or rejections.

Who is affected?

• Companies with R&D&I projects being processed by CDTI: They must review whether the new regulatory framework affects their ongoing files.
• Companies planning to apply for CDTI funding in 2026: They must prepare their applications under the new statute.
• Technology startups: Especially those seeking CDTI equity participation or access to technology venture capital instruments.
• Technology SMEs in Horizonte Europa: Those participating in European projects managed by CDTI as the national contact point.
• R&D, innovation and funding departments: Those responsible for managing relations with CDTI within their organisations.
• Public grants advisors and consultants: Those processing applications to CDTI on behalf of their clients.

Practical example

An industrial SME with 80 employees has a production process digitalisation project for which it applied for a CDTI loan in March 2026. The file is in the technical evaluation phase when the new statute enters into force on 1 April.

In this case, the company must:

1. Verify with CDTI whether the new statute modifies the evaluation criteria applicable to its file or whether the previous framework applies by reason of the application date.
2. Review whether the governing bodies responsible for approving its funding have changed in composition or powers, which could affect resolution timelines.
3. Update its documentation if the new operating rules require additional requirements or different formats.

The same scenario applies to a technology startup negotiating a venture capital investment with CDTI, or to a company managing a consortium in Horizonte Europa with CDTI as the national reference entity.

What should companies do now?

1. Review ongoing files: If you have a loan, grant or venture capital application with CDTI, contact the body to confirm whether the new statute affects your file and under which regulatory framework it will be resolved.
2. Update internal knowledge: The person responsible for R&D, innovation or funding at your company must read the new statute or receive a briefing on the changes to procedures and evaluation criteria.
3. Adapt future applications: Any R&D&I project to be submitted to CDTI from April 2026 onwards must be prepared in accordance with the new statutory framework.
4. Review the Horizonte Europa strategy: If you participate or plan to participate in European projects managed by CDTI, verify how the new statute affects management and reporting procedures.
5. Consult a specialist advisor: If you have high-value projects or projects at advanced stages of negotiation with CDTI, it is advisable to seek specialist advice to navigate the new regulatory framework without delays.

Official source

View the full regulation at the official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7825