Castilla-La Mancha approves grants for the ESA BIC space incubator

The Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha publishes this September 11, 2026, in issue number 175, Order 129/2026, of September 8, from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, establishing the regulatory bases for the grants to be awarded by the Castilla-La Mancha Science and Technology Park Foundation (FPCTCLM) for the development of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre in Castilla-La Mancha (ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha). The regulation, signed by Minister Amador Pastor Noheda, enters into force the day following its publication.

A strategic program for the aerospace ecosystem

The initiative is part of the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) program of the European Space Agency (ESA), which promotes ESA BIC centers to support startups and SMEs in the development of products and services based on space technologies or the use of space systems in non-space markets. The FPCTCLM application was selected by ESA through a competitive process, with the corresponding Collaboration Agreement formalized in March 2026.

The program provides for the incubation of innovative companies for a period of up to two years, with access to specialized facilities, technical assistance, business and intellectual property consultancy, and direct financial support. Funding is structured through a joint contribution from ESA and FPCTCLM, with expenditure authorization from the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.

Beneficiaries and grant amounts

Startups and innovative companies, as well as individuals promoting projects who meet the requirements of the order, may be beneficiaries. The grants are considered de minimis aid under Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831.

• Maximum amount per beneficiary: less than 60,000 euros, not exceeding the cost of the activity.
• De minimis limit: 300,000 euros per single company over a three-year period.
• Age requirement: less than five years as of the application date.
• Work center: located in Castilla-La Mancha, or proven within two months from the notification of the award.
• Applications: exclusively by electronic means, with a submission period of no less than fifteen business days.

Evaluation and assessment criteria

Selection follows the specific mechanisms of the ESA BIC program, involving two specialized bodies: the Tender Opening Board (TOB), responsible for examining the applications, and the Tender Evaluation Board (TEB), an assessment committee composed of representatives from ESA (chair), FPCTCLM (secretariat), and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) (member).

The evaluation is based on a maximum of 100 points, with a minimum overall score of 60 points and at least 40% in each criterion required. The criteria include team experience, spatial connection, technical feasibility, value proposition, and business model. The maximum period for resolution and notification will be six months from the publication of the call.

Eligible expenses and intellectual property

Expenses directly linked to the technical development of the product, validation, prototyping, the hiring of specialized consultancy, business development, and the protection of intellectual property will be eligible for subsidies. Expenses must be incurred in Spain, with expenses in another ESA member state exceptionally permitted up to a limit of 10,000 euros. When the expense exceeds 15,000 euros, it will be necessary to request at least three offers from different providers.

Beneficiary entities will retain ownership of the intellectual and industrial property rights derived from the activity developed within the framework of the program.

The approval of these guidelines consolidates Castilla-La Mancha as a hub for attracting investment and talent in the aerospace sector, reinforcing technology transfer toward strategic sectors of the regional economy and opening a direct funding route for innovative entrepreneurship linked to space.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 175, September 11, 2026, section I (General Provisions), page 31767 (official reference: 2026/6508).