Agreement between the Regional Government and UCLM to boost regional scientific excellence

The Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) publishes in issue 173, dated September 9, 2026, the resolution of the General Secretariat ordering the publication of the agreement signed between the Regional Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) to promote scientific excellence accreditations for its institutes and university research centers. The agreement, signed in Toledo on July 17, 2026, provides for a total contribution of €30,000 over four years.

The resolution, dated September 2, 2026, is issued in compliance with article 7.1 of Decree 315/2007, of December 27, which regulates the General Registry of Agreements of the Administration of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha. The full text of the agreement is incorporated as an annex to the resolution, with official reference [2026/6463].

A strategic objective of the regional R&D&i system

The agreement establishes a stable framework for collaboration to support the preparation, submission, and monitoring of candidacies for scientific excellence accreditations promoted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Obtaining these recognitions is considered a strategic objective of the regional R&D&i system, which will be integrated into the multi-annual university planning and the Regional Research and Innovation Strategy.

The actions are aimed at the identification, preparation, support, and monitoring of candidacies from UCLM centers and institutes for calls such as:

• The Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence.
• The María de Maeztu Units of Excellence.
• Other equivalent programs of regional, national, or international scope.

Financing and commitments

The financial contribution from the Junta amounts to €15,000 every two years over a four-year period, representing a maximum total amount of €30,000, charged to the Regional Ministry’s budget application 1803G/541B/42201. The planned distribution is as follows:

• 2026 Annuality: €15,000.
• 2028 Annuality: €15,000.
• Total: €30,000.

The Regional Ministry commits to collaborating in the definition and monitoring of the actions, providing the earmarked funding, and facilitating institutional coordination. For its part, the UCLM will prepare an annual strategic report on the status and evolution of its centers and institutes, and will identify the structures with the potential to apply for the accreditation calls.

Monitoring and validity

A monitoring committee will be established, consisting of three representatives from the Department and three from the UCLM, chaired by the Junta de Comunidades, which will meet at least once a year to supervise, evaluate, and control the execution of the agreement. The agreement will be valid for four years from its signing and may be extended by express agreement of the parties.

The agreement, signed by the counselor Amador Pastor Noheda and the rector of the UCLM José Julián Garde López-Brea, is administrative in nature and falls under article 47.2.a) of Law 40/2015, of October 1, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector. The resolution bears the signature of the secretary general Inmaculada Fernández Camacho.

With this agreement, the regional Government reinforces its commitment to the quality and leadership of research in Castilla-La Mancha, with the aim of attracting competitive funding, promoting international cooperation, and favoring the recruitment of research talent within the regional university system.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 173, September 9, 2026, section III (Other provisions and acts), pp. 31610-31616 (official reference: 2026/6463).