María Mercedes Vaquera highlighted the importance of these grants during the 2nd International Forum on Sustainable Economy, organized by the Social Council of the University of Extremadura (UEX).
On Monday 22nd, the Official Extremadura Diary (DOE) will publish the decree regulating the Extremadura Regional Government’s grant program to fund industrial research or experimental development projects carried out by SMEs in the region, with a total budget of €3.5 million.
The Regional Minister of Education, Science and Vocational Training, María Mercedes Vaquera, announced that starting next Tuesday, applications for these grants can be submitted. The funding ranges from a minimum of €25,000 to a maximum of €250,000 per project.
Vaquera made the announcement during the 2nd International Forum on Sustainable Economy titled “A Decalogue for Successful Sustainable Entrepreneurship”, held this Friday in Almendralejo.
She emphasized that these grants can cover up to 80% of the investment and allow for the hiring of specialized personnel and subcontracting of research centers. Additionally, new calls for public-private collaboration in R&D will be launched throughout the year.
The grants will cover personnel costs, acquisition of scientific-technological equipment, consumables, contract research, patents and utility models, R&D consultancy costs, as well as indirect costs and those related to project preparation and justification.
The Minister also noted that to encourage companies and research groups to participate in all grant calls, the Innovation Office has been launched. Managed by FUNDECYT and Extremadura Avante, it serves as a personalized public service to identify companies’ innovation challenges and promote technology-based entrepreneurship.
She confirmed that the Extremadura Incubator Network will continue to be strengthened, aiming to equip spaces with technology to support entrepreneurial initiatives that require advanced infrastructure for their development.
Among these, she highlighted the High Technology Incubator in Bioeconomy and Circular Economy in Mérida, which has received new funding and will be open to entrepreneurial projects and the development of new products based on by-products from the agri-food industry by already established companies.
In Almendralejo, the Virtual and Augmented Reality Incubator will soon open. It has been promoted in collaboration with the public company Red.es and is located in the former CENATIC building.
This incubator will allow entrepreneurs to develop projects in immersive realities, a growing trend with multiple applications in industry, entertainment, tourism, education, and care services.
Vaquera also highlighted the launch of the Pre-Incubator program, in collaboration with the Directorate General for Business. This program helps bring to life projects developed by students in their undergraduate theses or doctoral dissertations.
During the forum, organized by the Social Council of the University of Extremadura, the Minister stressed the need to “retain talent” in the region, which requires providing opportunities for young people: “because investing in you is investing in Extremadura.”
“We are very clear that education, science, and entrepreneurship must go hand in hand. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it’s about connecting with science, technology, and sustainability,” the Minister stated.
Also attending the event were the General Director for Business, Celina Pérez; the Mayor of Almendralejo, José María Ramírez; and the President of Cajalmendralejo, Fernando Palacios.
