International Collaboration Projects PCI-2 (Proyectos de Colaboración Internacional PCI-2)
Administers research teams and institutions for Proyectos de Colaboración Internacional PCI in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate technology.
Proyectos de Colaboración Internacional (PCI) is Spain's national co-funding mechanism, administered by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) under MICIU, that finances the Spanish share of research projects and coordinated international collaboration initiatives selected in upstream international competitive calls. It covers ERA-Net COFUND and Partnership programs under both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) programmes, ESA and CERN scientific and technical research programs, and Horizon Europe Widening participation initiatives. PCI 2026-2 is the anticipated second annual cycle; the first 2026 cycle (PCI 2026-1) carried a budget of €19,783,550 and closed May 6, 2026.
PCI 2026-2 dates and budget are not yet published as of the time of this record. Based on the naming pattern, a second cycle is expected later in 2026. When open, eligible applicants include Spanish universities, research organisations, companies, and nonprofits that are participating as Spanish partners in a project already selected in one of the qualifying upstream international calls. Individuals cannot apply directly. The program falls under the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024–2027, specifically the State Program for Transfer and Collaboration's subprogram for promoting public-private cooperation.
The critical practical requirement is that selection in the upstream international call (ERA-Net, EGTC, ESA, CERN, or Horizon Widening) must precede the AEI application — PCI does not fund project proposals, it funds already-selected Spanish partners. AEI's Subdirección de Procedimientos de Concesión manages the review. Interested applicants should monitor the AEI portal at aei.gob.es for the PCI 2026-2 opening announcement, as the window in 2026-1 was only 15 days (April 21 to May 6), indicating that short notice and rapid submission are characteristic of this call.
Spain's national co-funding share for research projects selected in upstream international calls including ERA-Net, EGTC, ESA, CERN, and Horizon Europe Widening programmes.
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