What is Innobonos 2026? Innobonos 2026 is a non-repayable grant designed to boost the competitiveness of the primary and agri-food sectors through innovation. The grants can cover up to 50% of the project cost, with a maximum amount of €100,000 per project.
The application period will be open until July 20, 2026.
Who can apply for these grants?
Innobonos 2026 is accessible to private companies (regardless of their legal form) and groups of up to three entities, provided they meet the following requirements:
- Have their tax domicile and activity in the Community of Madrid.
- Not belong to the public sector.
- Engage in economic activity.
- Belong to the agricultural, livestock, forestry sector, or its associated/agri-food industry.
Grant Type and Funding Conditions
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and can amount to up to €100,000 per project, covering:
- The 50% of the eligible budget.
- An additional 10% for medium-sized enterprises and 20% for small businesses.
- An extra 15% if the project involves effective collaboration between companies and one of them is an SME.
- effective collaboration between companies, and at least one of them is an SME.
The grant will be paid in three installments:
- The first payment, corresponding to 50% of the granted aid, will be made upon the granting of the aid, will be an advance payment, and will require a guarantee.
- The second payment, for a maximum amount of 25%, will be an on-account payment, subject to beneficiaries justifying the execution of 75% of the total amount granted as aid.
- The third and final payment, for a maximum amount of 25%, will be made upon beneficiaries justifying the execution of 100% of the total amount granted as aid.
Priority themes for Innobonos 2026:
- Crop adaptation to climate change.
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions or increase in carbon sinks.
- Prevention of agricultural or forest soil loss and erosion.
- Reduction of input consumption.
- Prevention of agricultural, forestry, or agri-food waste generation.
- Valorization of waste or by-products derived from agriculture, livestock, and forestry, as well as their associated or agri-food industry.
- New packaging, preservation, or processing of agri-food products.
- Increased competitiveness through multi-objective crops.
- Product shelf-life studies.
- Development of new food products. Optimization and improvement of food formulation and processes, including preservation processing.
- Development of food and ingredient prototypes in pilot plants.
- Development and validation of sensors or devices for controlling food quality and safety parameters, compared to conventional analytical methods, and nutritional and sensory characterization of ingredients and foods.
- Design of processes aimed at reducing food waste.
- Analysis and study of new products derived from food waste, leftovers, and trimmings.
What expenses are eligible for Innobonos 2026?
- Personnel: The cost of personnel hired exclusively and specifically by the beneficiary entity for the execution of the project receiving aid, as reflected in their employment contract.
- Costs of external assistance and services that are necessary for the project's execution and cannot be performed by the beneficiary entity itself.
- The costs of inventory material derived from:
1. The acquisition of scientific-technical machinery or equipment, with the exception of second-hand items.
2. The depreciation of machinery, facilities, equipment, or materials during the project execution period, including the acquisition of software or computer applications.
3. The leasing of machinery, facilities, equipment, or materials intended for the project's execution.
- The costs of acquiring consumable materials, provided that such materials are directly linked to the development of the project receiving the aid.
- The expense arising from the report prepared by an auditor.
- General costs directly linked to the project receiving the aid.
- Other costs not covered in the previous sections that arise from the activity and are necessary for its execution will also be eligible for funding. These include: services for pilot testing, innovation support services, and/or acquisition or licensing of technical know-how and patents or other industrial property rights.
It is important to note that expenses must be subject to market prices and that supporting documents for eligible expenses must be in the name of the beneficiary entity incurring them. In the case of consortia, these supporting documents must be in the name of the entity that, as part of the consortium, incurs the expense.
Main documentation to be submitted with the application
- Technical-scientific report of the project to be developed, according to the template and instructions contained in the call for applications.
- Information on the members who will develop the project, according to the template included in the call for applications.
- In the case of consortia, the internal agreement regulating the consortium's operation.
Application evaluation and selection criteria
Principle 1: Project Development (maximum 60 points).
- The project's alignment with the priority R&D&i lines foreseen for these grants will be assessed.
- The potential benefit of the technological objectives pursued across the various elements of the value chain will be assessed: production, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and commercialization.
- The project's degree of innovation will be assessed.
- The suitability of the project's methodology and development will be assessed.
- The justification of the budget in relation to the project's scope and objectives will be assessed, as well as the suitability of the budget distribution and allocation to each of its phases and tasks.
Principle 2: Applicant(s) capacity in relation to the project (maximum 20 points).
- The competence, training, and prior professional experience of the sole member or members of the project, in relation to the project itself, will be assessed.
- The suitability of contracting and collaborating, or not, with other entities in the project's development will be assessed.
- The suitability and appropriateness of the activities to be carried out by each of the project members, whether there are one, two, or three members, will be assessed.
Principle 3: Socioeconomic and environmental impact (maximum 20 points).
- The contribution and impact of the project's objectives on the sector's competitiveness and profitability will be assessed.
- The contribution and impact of the project's objectives on improving environmental sustainability will be assessed.
Deadline for submitting Innobonos 2026 applications
Until July 20, 2026
Innobonos 2026 is an excellent opportunity for agri-food companies in Madrid to develop innovative projects with non-repayable public funding. If your company is developing a new technology, product, or process, this aid can be key to scaling your initiative with institutional support.
