Santiago de Compostela, 30 October 2026 – The Xunta de Galicia has presented its plans for the 2027 research and innovation budget. The Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN) is to receive 110 million euros, an increase of 2.2 per cent on the previous year. According to the regional government, the budget is focused on developing talent, expanding cooperation between science and business, transferring research findings, supporting companies’ I+D activities and local innovation plans. More than 40 million euros are earmarked specifically for projects in biotechnology, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.
A central element is the expansion of high-performance computing capacity at the Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia (Cesga). In addition to the new supercomputer Finisterrae IV a further system is planned, which is to be assigned to the European AI factory 1HealthAI . The initiative links applications in human, animal and environmental health; the regional government is thus positioning the Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia as a hub in a European network for data-intensive research. The new system’s integration into the 1HealthAI structure is explicitly mentioned, in addition to Finisterrae IV, which is planned for Cesga.
The Xunta has announced new funding schemes to promote “Deep-Tech” collaboration, focusing in particular on joint projects in biotechnology, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. GAIN is responsible for designing the schemes; it will continue established programmes and prepare new calls for proposals. A total of 17.5 million euros is earmarked through the Consellería de Educación, Ciencia, Innovación e FP to recruit scientific staff. The Oportuniusprogramme will also benefit; according to the regional government, it aims to establish scientific careers in Galicia and thereby retain and attract researchers back to the region.
Cooperation between the public sector and businesses is being expanded with 23 million euros. Programmes such as Nexos and joint research units will be continued and strengthened; Vinnovate is also intended to support joint development projects. A new call under the Ignicia Proba de Concepto programme is planned to help promising research findings make their way to market; it is intended to prepare up to ten spin-offs or licensing deals. The Xunta says the measures are designed to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem and improve Galicia’s integration into European networks. Specific project decisions, timetables and allocations to individual projects will, it says, be determined through forthcoming calls and assessments.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).