CDTI Misiones 2026: expected budget, priority topics and project size companies should assess now

Misiones is designed to support ambitious business-led R&D initiatives with strong industrial impact. It typically funds collaborative projects involving several partners, significant budgets and technologies aligned with national strategic priorities. For companies evaluating whether to participate, three elements matter most: available budget, topics expected to be funded and project scale.

What budget can be expected in 2026?

The final budget for Misiones 2026 has not yet been officially published. However, recent editions provide a useful reference point. The 2025 call allocated around €60 million, confirming the programme as great national instrument for collaborative business innovation.

Demand continues to exceed available funding. In 2025, 257 proposals were submitted and only 35 projects were provisionally approved, which places the effective success rate at approximately 13.6%.

This means the opportunity is significant, but so is the level of competition.

What topics are expected to be funded?

Based on the consultation process launched for the new edition, the next call is expected to focus on strategic industrial and societal challenges. Among the areas currently under discussion are:

• Artificial intelligence and quantum technologies

• Critical raw materials and circular economy solutions

• Food security and sustainable water management

• Wildfire prevention and climate resilience

• Healthcare innovation under a One Health approach

• Industrialised and affordable housing

• Healthy ageing and quality of life solutions
  

These themes are expected to be narrowed down into a smaller number of final missions when the official call is released.

What size of projects does Misiones usually support?

Misiones is not a small-project programme. It is designed for high-impact collaborative initiatives with significant budgets and clear industrial ambition.

Recent approved projects have typically shown budgets in the range of €4 million to €6 million, with some projects above that level depending on scope and consortium structure. Projects usually require several companies working together, often alongside research centres or technology organisations. For many SMEs, the most realistic route is participation as part of a strong consortium rather than as lead applicant.

Is this programme for your company?

Misiones may be a strong fit for companies that:

• Have medium or large-scale R&D investment plans

• Need partners to accelerate innovation

• Operate in strategic industrial or technology sectors

• Can structure projects with measurable business impact

• Want to leverage public funding for ambitious developments
  

If a company is looking for smaller, simpler or single-partner grants, other programmes may be more suitable.

Why companies should start now

With such a competitive success rate, strong applications are rarely built once the call opens. The companies that succeed usually start months in advance by defining the right project scope, validating consortium partners and aligning the proposal with likely priorities.

For businesses planning innovation in 2026, Misiones should already be under evaluation.