The Generalitat grants 1.2 million in aid to semiconductor spin-offs

The Department of Education, Culture and Universities has directly granted 1,229,340 euros in subsidies aimed at supporting the creation of technology-based companies (spin-offs) in the field of semiconductors and advanced materials, fully funded by the ERDF Program Comunitat Valenciana 2021-2027. The resolution, dated October 6, 2026, is signed by the regional secretary of Universities, María Esther Gómez Martín, by delegation of the regional minister, and is published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) No. 10471, of October 15, 2026, section III, with the official reference DOGV-C-2026-32065.

Regulatory framework and origin of the call

The Generalitat acts under article 49.1.7ª of the Statute of Autonomy and article 168.1.a of Law 1/2015, of February 6, on public finance, the instrumental public sector, and subsidies, which allows for the direct granting of subsidies specifically provided for in the budgets. The authority to resolve corresponds to the head of the department for universities and research, delegated to the regional secretariats through the Resolution of January 30, 2025 (DOGV 10037, 01.31.2025).

The line is part of the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3-CV) and the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), within political objective 1 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 and priority P1C, specific objective 1.6, of Regulation (EU) 2024/795. The Directorate General for Science and Research approved a call for expressions of interest on October 10, 2025, published on October 14, 2025, to which 13 projects were submitted, evaluated scientifically and strategically by the Valencian Agency for Evaluation and Foresight (AVAP).

The maximum credit provided in the budget line S2167 “Support for the creation of STEP strategic technology spin-offs,” from the R&D&i program 542C00 and fund code FD21000028, was 3,200,000 euros; as the requested amounts were lower, the resolution agrees to a partial waiver of the excess.

Thirteen subsidized projects in four universities

Annex I details the beneficiary entities, the operations, and the amounts granted, with files numbered from CISPINSEM-2026-01 to CISPINSEM-2026-13:

• Universitat Jaume I (UJI): NANOGROC project, 173,000 euros (score 99.8).
• Universitat de València (UV): Revalion, 92,460 euros; MOF Biocomposites Project, 65,010 euros; LignoPlastic, 72,240 euros; memristive devices, 64,720 euros; and Mesopor Technologies S.L., 72,240 euros.
• Universitat d’Alacant (UA): carbonated materials, 200,000 euros (94.5).
• Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV): SUPERCAP-STEP, 122,460 euros; FULL-PIC, 55,670 euros; fiber optic, cryogenic, extreme temperature and gas detection sensors, 72,950 euros; advanced materials based on MXenes, 73,310 euros; pilot laboratory for materials synthesis and characterization, 79,200 euros; and ICTS-NTC, 86,080 euros.

The projects focus on photonic and optoelectronic devices, nanophotonics, development and testing equipment, advanced materials and integration systems for semiconductors, and high-frequency and power or high energy efficiency technologies.

European funding, deadlines and control

The operations are 100% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and are listed as an operation of strategic importance in appendix 3 of the program, with a 2024-2029 horizon. Expenditure is eligible for subsidies between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and the justification must be submitted no later than the last business day of February of the following year. The grant is paid in full in advance, without the need for guarantees, and is compatible with other aid provided that the total cost of the activity is not exceeded and double funding does not occur.

The Directorate General for Science and Research will handle the instruction, monitoring, and verification, and the entities must apply anti-fraud measures and publicize the European origin of the funds. Against the resolution, which exhausts the administrative route, an optional appeal for reversal may be filed within one month or a contentious-administrative appeal before the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community within two months.

The call consolidates a strategic commitment to retain the knowledge generated in universities and research centers within the Valencian Community and convert it into a high-value-added industrial fabric, in a key sector for reducing European technological dependence and creating skilled employment.

Source: Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10471, of October 15, 2026, section III, pág. 1-17 (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-32065).