Centres of Excellence 'Severo Ochoa' and Units 'María de Maeztu'

Centres of Excellence 'Severo Ochoa' and Units 'María de Maeztu'

Provides research teams and institutions for Centros de Excelencia Severo Ochoa y Unidades María in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate technology.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The 2026 Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Excellence Call (Centros de Excelencia Severo Ochoa y Unidades de Excelencia María de Maeztu) is a competitive accreditation and strategic funding program administered by Spain's Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) under MICIU. It operates two parallel tracks within a single call: the Severo Ochoa designation for full research centres and the María de Maeztu designation for research units. Both tracks recognise institutions that demonstrate outstanding international impact and relevance, and they finance the recipient's four-year strategic plan.

The total 2026 budget is €80,000,000 distributed competitively across both tracks. Accreditation granted under either label remains valid for up to six years, while the associated strategic plan financing covers a four-year execution period. Per-centre and per-unit award amounts are not published in the call summary and will appear in the full call resolution. The application window runs from May 27 to June 17, 2026, with a 14:00 Spanish peninsular time deadline. The call falls under the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024–2027, specifically the State Program for Research and Experimental Development's institutional strengthening subprogram.

Eligible applicants are Spanish research centres and research units — universities may host qualifying units or centres, but individual researchers and private companies cannot apply. AEI's Subdirección de Procedimientos de Concesión manages the competitive review process. Applications and specific questions should be directed to sev.mdm.solicitud@aei.gob.es; SISEN system registry issues to registroentidades@aei.gob.es. The call covers all scientific disciplines. Applicants should document their international performance during the reference period in quantitative terms, as impact and international relevance are the primary evaluation criteria.