ONCE Grant for 2026-2028 Eclipses: What It Means and Who It Affects

Key data

The ONCE Foundation assumes an institutional role in the preparation of the so-called Eclipse Trio 2026-2027-2028, an astronomical phenomenon of high social impact that will concentrate the attention of millions of citizens in Spain. The Royal Decree 815/2026, published in the BOE on October 9, 2026, enables this collaboration through a direct subsidy, without the need for public tender, under article 22.2.c) of the Law 38/2003, General Subsidies Law.

The justification for the direct award lies in reasons of duly accredited public and social interest: the specificity of the phenomenon, the fixed calendar of the eclipses, and the specialized capacity of the ONCE Foundation in eye protection and inclusive dissemination.

What does this regulation establish?

The Royal Decree regulates the direct award of a subsidy to the ONCE Foundation to collaborate with the Interministerial Commission of the Eclipse Trio, attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The funded activities are framed in two main areas:

• Scientific dissemination about the solar eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, aimed at the general public.
• Eye protection during eclipse observation, with special attention to vulnerable groups.

The three astronomical events subject to the subsidy are:

The regulation is issued under the exclusive state competence in promotion of scientific research (art. 149.1.15ª of the Spanish Constitution) and aligns with the strategic objective 7 of the State R&D&i Plan 2024-2027. The obligations imposed on the ONCE Foundation as beneficiary are the minimum ones provided for in general subsidies regulations.

The regulation expressly confirms that this subsidy does not constitute state aid within the meaning of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), so it is not subject to notification or prior authorization by the European Commission.

Economic and operational impact

Royal Decree 815/2026 does not establish any economic or operational obligation for private companies. It does not create new fees, does not modify labor or tax regulations, and does not require adaptations in any productive sector.

From the perspective of public spending, the subsidy is channeled directly to the ONCE Foundation, a non-profit entity specialized in the social inclusion of visually impaired persons. The specific amount of the subsidy is not specified in the available regulatory summary; to know the exact figure, it is necessary to consult the full text of the Royal Decree in the BOE.

For the optical, visual health, and scientific dissemination sectors, the regulation may represent an indirect opportunity: the ONCE Foundation, as the beneficiary entity, could establish collaborations with companies in the sector for the development of eye protection materials or awareness campaigns.

Who does it affect?

• ONCE Foundation: direct beneficiary of the subsidy and responsible for executing dissemination and eye protection activities.
• Citizens observing the eclipses: final recipients of the funded eye protection campaigns.
• Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities: ministry to which the coordinating Interministerial Commission is attached.
• Optical and visual health sector: possible indirect collaborators in the development of materials and campaigns.
• Scientific dissemination and communication companies: potential service providers for the execution of subsidized activities.

Private companies in general have no obligations derived from this Royal Decree.

Practical example

A company manufacturing solar protection glasses or approved optical filters for eclipse observation could benefit indirectly from this regulation. The ONCE Foundation, when executing the eye protection activities funded by the State, will need certified materials and specialized suppliers to distribute to the population.

If your company manufactures or distributes eye protection equipment for solar eclipses, contacting the ONCE Foundation before August 12, 2026 (date of the first total eclipse) can open a collaboration pathway within the framework of subsidized activities. Activities must align with strategic objective 7 of the State R&D&i Plan 2024-2027, which can also facilitate access to other public funding lines in scientific dissemination.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if your company operates in the optical, visual health, or scientific dissemination sector: these are the only sectors with indirect opportunities derived from this regulation.
2. Consult the full text of Royal Decree 815/2026 in the BOE to know the exact amount of the subsidy and the execution conditions imposed on the ONCE Foundation.
3. Explore collaboration pathways with the ONCE Foundation if you manufacture or distribute approved eye protection materials for solar eclipse observation.
4. Review the State R&D&i Plan 2024-2027 (strategic objective 7) if your company develops scientific dissemination activities: there may be complementary funding lines to this subsidy.
5. For other companies: no action is required. This regulation does not generate obligations for the private sector in general.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informational in nature 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-2026-20980