The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and Spain’s regional governments have approved the new Map of Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS) for the period 2025–2028, during the 19th meeting of the Council for Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy (CPCTI), held at the National Research Centre on Human Evolution (CENIEH) in Burgos.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Diana Morant, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening interregional cooperation and consolidating a national scientific network that ensures equitable access to cutting-edge research facilities.

The new map features 28 ICTS, encompassing 64 infrastructures across 15 regions, along with Spain’s two Antarctic research bases and the RedIRIS network. The minister also announced the launch of a €200 million call for proposals, funded by EU FEDER funds, to support equipment upgrades and the modernization of laboratories and technological platforms.

The ICTS are unique facilities dedicated to frontline scientific research, knowledge transfer, and technological innovation. They cover strategic areas such as marine and environmental sciences, biomedicine and health, energy and materials, astronomy, digital technologies, and social sciences and humanities. Around 2,500 professionals work within these infrastructures nationwide.

Between 2021 and 2024, the ICTS supported over 9,000 scientific projects, established 3,300 contracts with private companies, produced 5,000 scientific papers, and organized thousands of training and outreach activities. They also facilitated 17,000 access requests from researchers, universities, and businesses, as part of their open-access policy.

The meeting also addressed preparations for the “Eclipse Trio 2026–2028”, a series of three solar eclipses visible from Spain on 12 August 2026, 2 August 2027, and 26 January 2028—two total and one annular. Spain will be the only country in the world able to fully observe the first total eclipse.

Additionally, the council approved updates to the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CACTI), adding five new members, and appointed Jordi Camí as Chair of the Spanish Committee on Research Ethics (CEEI), with Núria Sebastián as Vice-Chair. The meeting also introduced the Spanish Deep Tech Strategy and discussed progress on the 2028–2034 EU Multiannual Financial Framework for science, innovation, and space.