Grant of 200,000 euros for the 500th Anniversary of the School of Salamanca

The Regional Government of Castilla y León has approved the regulatory bases for a direct grant of 200,000 euros to the University of Salamanca to finance the cultural activities of the 500th Anniversary of the School of Salamanca. The measure is formalized by Order PRE/939/2026, of September 18, signed by the Councilor of the Presidency, Luis Miguel González Gago, and published in the Official Gazette of Castilla y León no. 187, of September 25, 2026. The regulation comes into force the day following its publication.

A public foundation as a financing route

The aid is not granted directly by the regional administration, but by the Foundation for the Promotion of the Values and Identity of Castilla y León (Fundación Valores CyL), an institutional public sector entity attached to the Councilorship of the Presidency. The grant was previously authorized by order of the Councilor of the Presidency on June 10, 2026, as required by the sixteenth additional provision of Law 38/2003, of November 17, General Law on Subsidies.

The text invokes Decree 10/2026, of June 29, regarding the organic structure of the Councilorship of the Presidency, and justifies the direct grant—without public competition—based on the uniqueness of the activities and their public, social, and cultural interest. The anniversary takes place in 2026, and the University of Salamanca is already developing the commemorative program.

Four subsidized activities

• Audiovisual production: a series of micro-documentaries “Shorts–500 years of the School of Salamanca,” an educational animation and documentary series for streaming platforms.
• Salamanca Forum. Global Platform for Economic and Ethical Growth, in its 2026 founding edition.
• International Congress “School of Salamanca: past, present and future,” including the publication of proceedings and a high-reach documentary.
• Performance of “The Foolish Lady” (La dama boba), by Lope de Vega, at the Performing Arts Festival “Las Noches del Fonseca,” in co-production between Spain and Mexico.

The preamble presents the commemoration as an opportunity to update the legacy of the scholars who originated the School, led by Francisco de Vitoria, along with Domingo de Soto, Melchor Cano, Mancio del Corpus Christi, Bartolomé de Medina, and Domingo Báñez.

Deadlines, justification and control

• Express acceptance of the aid by the beneficiary: ten days; without it, the application is understood to be withdrawn.
• Justification of the grant: before March 31, 2027, with an activity report and a financial report.
• Request due to lack of justification: fifteen non-extendable days; correction of defects: ten days.
• Payment: once the activity has been justified; eligible expenditure is incurred from January 2026.
• Compatible with other aid, provided that the cost of the activity is not exceeded.
• Non-compliance due to delay in documentation: reduction of 10%, 20%, or 30% depending on the delay.

Cultural impact and external projection

The order positions the V Centenary as a lever for educational dissemination, media and economic promotion of Castilla y León, and the reinforcement of the Community’s cultural heritage. The program combines contemporary formats —documentaries, animation, and streaming— with academic research and performing arts, and requires the University of Salamanca to disseminate the collaboration of the Foundation and the Regional Government of Castilla y León in all advertising of the activities.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla y León, no. 187, of September 25, 2026, section I. Community of Castilla y León, C. Grants, pages 33-41 (official reference: BOCYL-D-25092026-187-10).