Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030: Funding and Support

Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030: More Than €8 Billion to Bring Science to Market

Spain has strong scientific expertise, talent and technological capabilities. However, one of its main challenges is still turning more of that knowledge into market-ready technologies, scalable companies and new industrial value chains.

The Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030 was created to address this gap between science and the market. With an estimated budget of €8.124 billion through 2030, the Strategy aims to accelerate the entire deep tech journey. This ranges from talent and knowledge transfer to investment, scaling, industrialisation and access to new markets.

Its objective is to position Spain among the leading countries in the development, scaling and industrialisation of deep technologies, or deep tech. For companies, startups, spin-offs and investors, the key questions are which technologies the roadmap will prioritise and, above all, which funding instruments can help move these projects from R&D to market.

What is the Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030?

The Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030 is Spain’s roadmap for promoting the development, scaling and industrialisation of disruptive innovations based on advanced science. Deep tech technologies are characterised by a strong R&D component, high technological risk and, in many cases, long development cycles. In addition, they often require significant investment and long-term funding before reaching the market.

Therefore, the challenge is not only to generate knowledge. It is also necessary to strengthen the links between universities, research centres, technology centres, companies, investors and public administrations. The Strategy aims to reinforce these connections and turn Spain’s scientific potential into technological leadership, productive capacity, skilled employment and strategic autonomy.

The Strategy covers the 2026-2030 period. Moreover, it is designed as an open and evolving framework, allowing new technologies and initiatives to be incorporated as the deep tech ecosystem develops.

However, closing the gap between the laboratory and the market requires action on several fronts at the same time. For this reason, the Strategy is structured around three main pillars.

The Pillars of the Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030

The Strategy is structured around three pillars and nine objectives. The first focuses on strengthening scientific and technological capabilities. The second targets the business ecosystem, while the third creates the conditions needed for the entire deep tech ecosystem to operate in a more coordinated way.

Pillar 1: Strengthening Scientific and Technological Capabilities

The first pillar focuses on talent, knowledge transfer and scientific infrastructure. Key measures include:

• specialised training in deep tech;
• attracting and retaining talent;
• entrepreneurship training for research professionals;
• proof-of-concept instruments;
• protection and valorisation of industrial property;
• support for science-based entrepreneurship;
• consolidation of cutting-edge R&D infrastructure and research centres.

Technology transfer plays a particular role here. The aim is not simply to fund research, but to help research outcomes progress towards validation, company creation and, ultimately, the market.

In this context, infrastructures such as Spain Neurotech, IFMIF-DONES in Granada and the Iberian Energy Storage Research Centre (Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético, CIIAE) in Cáceres are especially relevant. These centres strengthen research capabilities in strategic areas such as neurotechnology, nuclear fusion and energy storage, respectively. At the same time, they help create environments where science, technology and business can work together to develop and validate new solutions.

For this reason, their importance goes beyond scientific infrastructure alone. For companies working in related technologies, these centres can provide access to specialised capabilities, new collaboration opportunities and technology transfer opportunities.

Pillar 2: Strengthening the Deep Tech Business Ecosystem

The second pillar focuses directly on deep tech companies and accounts for almost 80% of the Strategy’s total budget. Its objective is to support companies from research through to market entry. It also aims to facilitate the scaling, industrialisation and internationalisation of their technologies.

To achieve this, the roadmap combines several mechanisms. These include public procurement of innovation, public-private collaboration, shared laboratories, testbeds and real-world validation environments. In this way, the Strategy aims to reduce some of the barriers that make it difficult for advanced technologies to move from R&D to commercial application.

At the same time, Pillar 2 strengthens deep tech investment tech and public-private capital instruments. This support is particularly important for technologies with long development cycles that require long-term investment before reaching the market and generating returns. This approach is already reflected in several instruments. For example, INNTERCONECTA STEP funds collaborative R&D projects led by companies developing solutions linked to STEP strategic challenges. In addition, the Strategy plans to significantly expand this programme.

Meanwhile, Deep Start, promoted by CDTI together with the European Investment Fund and previously known as Deep Tech Tech Transfer, has an initial budget of €353 million. Its aim is to strengthen specialised venture capital and support the scaling of deep tech projects in Spain.

Finally, the Strategy also looks beyond technology development itself. Initiatives such as ICEX NEXT Deep Tech will support deep tech startups entering new markets. In doing so, they connect funding, scaling and internationalisation.

Overall, Pillar 2 addresses one of the ecosystem’s most critical needs: ensuring that technologies developed in Spain do not remain at the research stage, but can instead be validated, scaled, industrialised and positioned to compete internationally.

 Pillar 3: Building a More Dynamic Deep Tech Ecosystem

The third pillar addresses another major challenge: the fragmentation of the ecosystem. Therefore, it works across the two previous pillars to improve governance, technology intelligence, visibility and the regulatory environment.

Key measures include the future National Deep Tech Observatory, a technology intelligence Radar and a Deep Tech Label designed to identify and give greater visibility to high-potential companies and projects.

In addition, the Strategy includes regulatory experimentation environments and measures to identify and reduce administrative, fiscal and regulatory barriers. At the same time, it proposes a governance model that connects ministries, regional governments and representatives from the scientific, technological and business communities.

Together, these three pillars explain how Spain intends to act. The next question is where this technological effort will be focused.

Which Deep Tech Technologies Will Be Prioritised in Spain?

The Strategy initially identifies ten priority scientific and tecnological areas:

• biotechnology and health;
  
• technologies for sustainability and clean energy;
  
• artificial intelligence and data technologies;
  
• advanced semiconductors;
  
• advanced connectivity and digital technologies;
  
• robotics and autonomous systems;
  
• advanced materials, manufacturing and recycling;
  
• advanced sensing technologies;
  
• quantum technologies;
  
• space and propulsion technologies.

The list is not definitive, as the Strategy itself states that it may be updated during implementation to reflect the evolution of deep technologies in Spain and emerging priorities.

Within this technology landscape, four areas are particularly useful for understanding the scope of the initiative.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Data Technologies

Artificial intelligence is one of the priority areas. It includes fields such as high-performance computing, cloud and edge computing, predictive analytics, computer vision, language processing, agentic AI and the integration of AI into robotics.

Spain aims to strengthen these capabilities through data infrastructure, supercomputing, specialised talent and frameworks that support the responsible development of these technologies.

2. Biotechnology and Health

Biotechnology also plays a central role. According to the Strategy, Spain has more than one thousand companies in an ecosystem that connects scientific research, the healthcare system and clinical trials.

However, its scope goes beyond health. It also includes synthetic biology, bioinformatics, biosensors, biomanufacturing, precision agriculture and other technologies with industrial, environmental and agri-food applications.

3. Quantum Technologies

Quantum technologies are another priority area. They include quantum computing and simulation, communications, cryptography, sensing and metrology. These technologies can enable new computing capabilities, secure communications and highly precise measurements.In addition, the Deep Tech Strategy is coordinated with Spain’s Quantum Technologíes Strategy 2025-2030. 

4. Clean Energy and Sustainability

The Strategy also prioritises technologies related to clean energy and sustainability. This area includes technologies such as:

• advanced solar and wind energy;
• hydrogen and new fuels;
• energy storage and batteries;
• smart grids;
• CO₂ capture;
• new electrochemical processes;
• nuclear fusion.

Spain also starts from a strong position in wind and solar energy. Therefore, the Strategy aims to strengthen the technological and industrial capabilities linked to the energy transition. However, defining priority technologies is only part of the equation. To generate economic impact, these capabilities also need companies that can validate, finance, industrialise and bring them to new markets.

What Does the Deep Tech Strategy Spain Mean for Companies?

For startups, spin-offs, SMEs and technology companies, the Strategy aims to strengthen the support available for R&D, validation, funding, scaling, industrialisation and internationalisation.This reflects a key characteristic of deep tech: many technologies require long development periods and significant investment before reaching the market. Therefore, a single source of funding rarely covers the entire journey.

The proposed model connects universities and research centres with companies, investors, large corporations and public administrations. In this way, knowledge transfer becomes part of a broader chain that runs from research to the market.

In addition, the Strategy aims to help Spanish deep tech companies integrate into national and international value chains, supporting both industrialisation and growth beyond Spain.

So, how will this support translate into concrete funding opportunities? The answer does not lie in a single call.

What Funding Programmes Are Included in the Deep Tech Strategy Spain?

The planned €8.124 billion does not correspond exclusively to new grants or calls for proposals. The Strategy brings together existing programmes, plans to reinforce certain instruments and introduces new measures. In addition, it is not a closed list, so further initiatives may be added as implementation progresses.

For companies, these are some of the deep tech funding programmes and instruments worth keeping on the radar:

These initiatives cover different stages of technological development. Therefore, the most suitable programme will depend on the type of technology, the project’s maturity, the company structure and its growth objectives. A company may first need funding for R&D and validation, followed by capital for scaling. Later, it may require instruments that support industrialisation or internationalisation. 

How Can You Identify the Right Funding for a Deep Tech Project?

Having access to more instruments does not mean that every programme will be suitable for every project. Before submitting an application, companies should assess factors such as:

• the technology readiness level;
• the type and scale of the planned R&D activities;
• the structure of the project or consortium;
• funding requirements;
• the industrialisation strategy;
• target markets.

At Evolution Europe, we help innovative companies identify the public funding programmes that best match their technology and objectives. We also support them in preparing competitive proposals for R&D&I projects.

Are you developing a deep tech technology? Find out which funding programmes could fit your project and get in touch with our team.

Contact our team

Frequently Asked Questions About the Deep Tech Strategy Spain 2026-2030

• ¿What is the timeframe of the Deep Tech Strategy Spain?

The Strategy covers the 2026-2030 period. In addition, it is designed as an open and evolving framework, meaning that new technologies and measures may be incorporated during its implementation.026-2030.

• Which sectors are included in the Deep Tech Strategy Spain?

The Strategy identifies ten priority areas:

1. biotechnology and health;
2. sustainability and clean energy;
3. artificial intelligence and data;
4. advanced semiconductors;
5. advanced connectivity and digital technologies;
6. robotics and autonomous systems;
7. advanced materials, manufacturing and recycling;
8. advanced sensing technologies;
9. quantum technologies;
10. space and propulsion technologies.

• What is the budget of the Deep Tech Strategy Spain?

The Strategy has an estimated total budget of €8.124 billion through 2030. However, this is an indicative planning figure and may be revised depending on emerging opportunities and the resources available in each financial year.

• Will there be funding support for deep tech companies?

The Strategy brings together and strengthens several mechanisms to support companies. These include INNTERCONECTA STEP, INNVIERTE, ICO funds, Next Tech, Deep Start, ENISA-FEPYME, AI Factories and ICEX NEXT Deep Tech. However, not all of these instruments operate as direct grants. In addition, further initiatives may be added as the Strategy is implemented.