Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan

Component 17. Institutional reform and capacity-building of the national science, technology and innovation system

Measure: I1. Complementary Plans with Autonomous Communities

Financing: 17,696 M€

Incorporate new solutions based on quantum technologies into the productive sector, especially SMEs and companies in the ICT, space, and health sectors, for solving problems in data science (optimization through quantum computing, secure transmission and sharing of data through quantum cryptography) and in the development of advanced sensors. It involves incorporating recent developments in software, including specialized algorithms for quantum computers, where the scientific sector already has considerable experience, into the resolution of logistics problems and the search for patterns in big data, which are of clear business interest. It is also proposed to establish a data transmission platform with quantum encryption over dark optical fiber, allowing Spanish companies to develop this option, which is highly relevant for security. Additionally, it aims to design and incorporate the next generation of quantum devices in both the space industry and medical instrumentation

More information here.

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Component 17. Institutional reform and capacity-building of the national science, technology and innovation system

Measure: I1. Complementary Plans with Autonomous Communities

Financing: 17,372 M€

The objective is to establish, incorporate, and consolidate green hydrogen as a solution for the electrification of the national energy system, as well as for the decarbonization of transport and industry. The proposed actions aim to cover the entire hydrogen value chain, thanks to developments at various stages of maturity, ranging from pilot or demonstrative scale solutions to basic developments that will allow, in the near future, the replacement of foreign technology with national technology in the country's energy network. The different lines of action have been divided into four major blocks: hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage and distribution, hydrogen uses, and a final block that includes transversal activities.

More information here.

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Component 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure I2. Strengthening the capacities, infrastructures, and equipment of SECTI agents.

Infrastructure for working with pathogens that cause infectious diseases in humans or animals and can be easily transmitted from one individual to another. The investment aims to adapt and update the infrastructures of the CISA BSL3 Biocontainment Facility to address new challenges posed by high-impact transmissible pathogens, expanding laboratory biosafety (BSL) capacities to the World Health Organization (WHO) level 4, which does not currently exist in Spain. The lines of action are as follows:

• Adaptation of the Facility, laboratories, and animal housing at BSL3 and 3+ biosafety levels to address and enhance studies of zoonotic pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and promote open access for other R&D centers from other organizations and institutions.
• Provision of adequate equipment for the Center's High Biological Security Laboratory.
• Reinforcement of personnel serving the High Biological Security Laboratory.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I5. Knowledge Transfer

Financing: €0.8M

A program of dynamization and training is proposed to address some of the factors identified in universities and public research organizations, researchers, interface structures, and companies. The aim is to invigorate university and public research organization leaders to raise awareness about the need for a comprehensive policy in their relations with society, in an increasingly complex context where these entities have developed various coexisting interface structures. There will also be an emphasis on the need to find a new balance between generating new knowledge and the applied relevance of research, as well as the contributions of researchers to solving social and economic problems, which should positively reflect in the indicators used in evaluation processes.
Regarding researchers, it will be highlighted that KET (Knowledge Exchange and Transfer) starts with the way research is conducted. Additionally, based on their perception of the barriers to engaging in KET processes, it is proposed to provide them with information on KET activities and processes and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of other colleagues.           
For interface structures, the objective is to help their management and technical staff acquire or strengthen the necessary competencies to facilitate and adequately manage KET processes, that is, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to perform their tasks in contexts of increasing complexity and interconnection. 

For companies, the aim is to stimulate them to incorporate innovation into their culture and strategy through actions organized together with the various interface structures.

More information here. 

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I6. Health

Financing: €55.721M

Having interdisciplinary research teams that can propose and develop, in collaboration with clinical and industrial sectors, solutions for all aspects of the pandemic and its long-term consequences: prevention, transmission, diagnosis, therapy, social impact, and communication. Two complementary actions related to research will be addressed.

On the one hand, having the infrastructure that allows techniques under development in research centers to quickly reach the clinical sector and industry. This involves reinforcing, expanding, and structuring infrastructures such as the antiviral platform or the CNB P3 laboratory, which are key for the development of treatments, vaccines, diagnostic kits, virus propagation tests, disinfection tests, etc. This also has a medium to long-term objective, as these infrastructures will be crucial for connecting research with clinical and epidemiological applications in any Global Health issue.

On the other hand, being able to provide, as quickly as possible, the appropriate training and dissemination so that society can take measures to reduce the impact of future pandemics. This includes the implementation of a specialized multidisciplinary master's program, the study, and dissemination of new social models to better address future crises, considering the clear correlation with demographic aspects.

More information here.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I2. Strengthening of capacities, infrastructures, and equipment of SECTI agents

Its objective is to establish a medium-sized scientific infrastructure (Core Facility) to build a coordinated system for the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources, structuring the Collections Network into nodes and supernodes similar to a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS).

GVALER aims to improve the conservation and utilization of Spain's plant heritage, preserving its biodiversity, identifying phenotypes and genes of interest for obtaining new plant materials, and generating essential knowledge for the development of innovative, resilient agriculture adapted to market demands and challenges posed by climate change. The lines of action are as follows:

• Increase genetic diversity of crops as a basis for their use by breeders and farmers.
  Provide solutions involving a multitude of actors to facilitate genetic improvement projects and enhance the competitiveness of our productions.
• Start genomic-assisted pre-breeding programs to have advanced crop lines available, speeding up the introduction of new varieties to the market.
• Implement good agricultural practices to conserve/improve agricultural biodiversity and soil and air quality, incorporating precision agriculture.
• Adaptation of the incinerator, improving waste management at the facility

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I6. Health

Financing: €19.645M

The ultimate goal is to achieve a substantial improvement in the quality of life in an increasingly aging population, by developing and applying the latest advances in molecular and genetic techniques to address neurological issues. It is particularly relevant to integrate their connection with the immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, and to find solutions that complement medication and treatments with the adoption of an active social and culturally engaging lifestyle. This goal will lead to greater resilience in the social and healthcare system, reducing care pressure, and at the same time, it will drive the new emerging sector of the silver economy.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I7. Environment, Climate Change, and Energy

Financing: €20.628M

Goal: To develop and to integrate key high technology components in the transition of the energy cycle towards a green and resilient economy. On one hand, advancing in energy storage, especially at a large scale, crucial for completing the transition to renewable energy sources. Scalable solutions such as redox flow cells will provide the solution for better quality and continuity of energy from these sources, and open a new market oriented towards different sectors (electricity producers and distributors, consumer companies, or even urban or residential needs). On the other hand, regarding the transition in the replacement of fossil fuels, it is especially relevant to develop, in collaboration with companies, a prototype plant for CO2 recovery in energetically intensive industries, particularly in the steel and cement sectors.

More information here.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system.

Measure: I7. Environment, Climate Change, and Energy

Financing: €3M

Production of alternative plastics and sustainable management of plastic waste. The biotechnological design approach will allow both the elimination of environmental impact and the utilization of waste in the production of new products, advancing this sector towards a circular economy. The exploitation of pilot plants as bioreactors will directly promote public-private collaboration for the development of high TRL (Technology Readiness Level) solutions that can transform this industry in the coming years.

More information here.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I7. Environment, Climate Change, and Energy

Financing: €3.25M

The purpose of the project is to provide infrastructure to laboratories to address monitoring and assessment tasks of the historical and future impacts of Climate Change (CC) and/or global. These laboratories aim to conduct multidisciplinary and cross-cutting research with the following general objectives:

• Generate potential future climate scenarios for studying impacts on systems.
• Generate new information and indicators on water reserves (historical and future).
• Study potential impacts on ecosystems associated with groundwater and natural heritage.
• Contribute to the integrated study of Geological Risks within the framework of CC.

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Component: 17. Institutional reform and strengthening of the capacities of the national science, technology, and innovation system

Measure: I7. Environment, Climate Change, and Energy

Financing: €2M

The main objective is the identification of favorable areas for environmentally sustainable exploitation of critical raw materials for the energy transition, both on land and at sea, including the reutilization of "sterile" materials from former mining operations. To achieve this, the following partial objectives are pursued:

• Preliminary study of raw materials necessary for the energy transition and strategic for the Spanish industry.
• Identification of areas with mining potential.
• Application of new exploration techniques.
• Characterization of mining wastes.
• Study of mineral deposits in the surrounding environment.
• Study of the capacity of the territory to host mining activities.
• Assessment of mineral resources and reserves.
• Research into new techniques for rehabilitating land affected by mining.
• Creation of scientific-technical products and return on investments.
   

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