Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 29, 2026, from the Presidency of the CSIC, M.P., publishing the Agreement with Hospital Universitario Los Madroños, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya for the NIMBLE project |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 7, 2026 |
| Effective date | June 26, 2026 (date of agreement signature) |
| Project reference | PID2021-123657OB-C31 |
| Participating entities | CSIC, Hospital Universitario Los Madroños, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Funding | State Research Plan 2021-2023 — Knowledge Generation Projects call |
| Category | Education / R&D&i |
| Legal basis for publication | Article 48.8 of Law 40/2015 |
Four leading institutions in science, healthcare and technology have formalized their collaboration in the NIMBLE project ("Evaluating and modeling recovery mechanisms during robot-assisted gait neurorehabilitation"). The agreement was signed on June 26, 2026 and its publication in the BOE on July 7, 2026 responds to the obligation established in Article 48.8 of Law 40/2015 on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.
The official project reference is PID2021-123657OB-C31, funded within the State Research Plan 2021-2023 through the Knowledge Generation Projects call. The central scientific objective is to understand the neurological mechanisms underlying gait recovery when the patient is assisted by robotic exoskeletons.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution publishes the collaboration agreement between the four entities for the joint implementation of the NIMBLE R&D&i project. Each institution contributes its differential specialization:
| Institution | Participating unit | Specialization provided |
|---|---|---|
| CSIC | BioRobotics Group of the CAR (Center for Automation and Robotics, CSIC-UPM) | Biomedical robotics and motor assistance systems |
| Hospital Universitario Los Madroños | Advanced Neurorehabilitation Unit | Clinical application and evaluation in patients with neurological injuries |
| Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) | Institutional participation in the project | University research in health sciences and technology |
| Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) | Biomechanical Engineering Lab | Biomechanical engineering and human movement modeling |
The project studies neurological recovery mechanisms during gait rehabilitation assisted by robotic exoskeletons. This is basic and applied research aimed at developing more effective therapies for patients with neurological injuries affecting mobility.
Economic and operational impact
The agreement does not in itself establish new economic obligations for private companies. Its operational and economic impact is concentrated in the participating institutions and in the R&D&i ecosystem linked to robotic neurorehabilitation:
- Assured public funding: The project has funding from the State Research Plan 2021-2023, which guarantees resources for the participating research groups during the execution period.
- Technological development with transfer potential: The results of the NIMBLE project may lead to patents, clinical protocols and exoskeleton technologies with commercial application in the healthcare and medical robotics sector.
- Opportunities for sector companies: Exoskeleton manufacturers, neurorehabilitation devices and medical technology companies can find in this type of projects public partners to develop and clinically validate their products.
- Impact on hospital service portfolio: The Advanced Neurorehabilitation Unit of Hospital Los Madroños strengthens its positioning as a reference center in robot-assisted therapies.
Who does it affect?
- Research groups from the four signatory institutions (CSIC-CAR, Hospital Los Madroños, URJC, UPC-Biomechanical Engineering Lab): are directly involved in project implementation.
- Researchers and technical staff who work or aspire to work on robotic neurorehabilitation projects funded with public funds.
- Manufacturing companies of exoskeletons and robotic rehabilitation devices interested in collaborating or in research results.
- Hospitals and neurorehabilitation units that evaluate incorporating robotic assistance technologies in their clinical protocols.
- R&D&i managers in university and hospital settings who must register, manage or audit collaboration agreements published in the BOE in accordance with Article 48.8 of Law 40/2015.
- Patients with neurological injuries affecting gait: are the final beneficiaries of the advances generated by the project.
Practical example
A private hospital specialized in neurorehabilitation that is evaluating incorporating robotic exoskeletons in its service portfolio can closely follow the results of the NIMBLE project. The BioRobotics Group of the CAR (CSIC-UPM) and the Biomechanical Engineering Lab of the UPC will generate scientific data on which exoskeleton parameters optimize neurological recovery. Those results, once published, can guide device selection and clinical protocol design without needing to conduct trials from scratch.
Similarly, an exoskeleton manufacturing company seeking clinical validation for its product can explore collaboration avenues with the Advanced Neurorehabilitation Unit of Hospital Universitario Los Madroños, which already operates within an active and publicly funded research framework.
What should institutions do now?
- Verify agreement registration: R&D&i management officials from the four institutions must confirm that the agreement is correctly registered in their internal systems, with reference BOE-A-2026-14746 and signature date of June 26, 2026.
- Review publicity obligations: Publication in the BOE fulfills the requirement of Article 48.8 of Law 40/2015. Managers should file the resolution as proof of regulatory compliance.
- Activate project monitoring mechanisms: Research groups must ensure that the milestones of project PID2021-123657OB-C31 are aligned with the deadlines of the State Research Plan 2021-2023 and with the conditions of the agreement.
- Identify technology transfer opportunities: Research results transfer offices (OTRI) of CSIC, URJC and UPC should evaluate the potential for patents or licenses derived from NIMBLE results.
- Explore synergies with the private sector: Companies in the medical robotics and neurorehabilitation sector interested in project results should contact participating groups to explore public-private collaborations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NIMBLE project and what is its official reference?
NIMBLE is the acronym for the project "Evaluating and modeling recovery mechanisms during robot-assisted gait neurorehabilitation". Its official reference in the State Research Plan is PID2021-123657OB-C31. It is funded within the Knowledge Generation Projects call of the State Plan 2021-2023.
What institutions participate in the NIMBLE agreement published in the BOE?
Four institutions participate: CSIC (through the BioRobotics Group of the CAR, joint center CSIC-UPM), Hospital Universitario Los Madroños (with its Advanced Neurorehabilitation Unit), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) (with its Biomechanical Engineering Lab).
Why is this agreement published in the BOE?
Publication in the BOE is a legal obligation established in Article 48.8 of Law 40/2015 on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, which requires publication of agreements entered into by Public Administrations. The agreement was signed on June 26, 2026 and published on July 7, 2026.
When did the NIMBLE project agreement become effective?
The agreement became effective on June 26, 2026, the date it was signed by the four participating institutions. Publication in the BOE on July 7, 2026 has effects of publicity and regulatory compliance, not of effective date.
What opportunities does the NIMBLE project open for private companies in the medical robotics sector?
Exoskeleton and neurorehabilitation device manufacturing companies can explore collaborations with participating groups (especially the BioRobotics Group of the CAR and the Biomechanical Engineering Lab of the UPC) to clinically validate their products. Project results will also guide clinical protocol design and may lead to technology transfer through the OTRI of the involved institutions.
Official source
View 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-2026-14746