Purpose
The R&I Project Call seeks to fund projects that promote research and innovation, as well as scientific advice in public administration, using scientific evidence to develop more effective policies.
Description
A public policy pilot study is a structured approach to learning—defined before the pilot begins—designed to generate knowledge about a public policy instrument (organizational, regulatory, financial, or information-based). Pilot projects submitted in this subcategory must include a work plan and a series of milestones against which their implementation will be assessed. This plan must take into account the time needed to draw conclusions from the pilot.
The pilot project may involve significantly modifying a public administration tool used in the project (redesign); adapting a tool that has proven effective in another public administration to determine whether it is transferable (replication); or introducing an innovative tool (new or with significant improvements) compared to existing tools.
The study may consist of:
- Test the implementation of a tool in a small-scale pilot. These exploratory pilots are conducted when it is believed that the tool can be implemented as planned, but it is still necessary to see how it actually works in the partner organization. They aim to determine whether the instrument can be implemented as planned; how beneficiaries respond to the instrument (their behavior or level of acceptance); or what results are likely to be obtained. These exploratory pilot studies help identify problems in the design and implementation of the instrument and provide an opportunity to refine the planning and the approach to evaluating the results.
The methodology of scientific research may be based, for example, on observational methods. - Conduct a small-scale pilot study to assess whether an instrument achieves its expected results. Pilot studies can be used to evaluate results. The evaluation should have the potential to influence the design of the instrument.
The evaluation methodology may be based, for example, on quasi-experimental methods or on experimental methods in a controlled setting, such as randomized trials. The design of the instrument being tested in the pilot must be sufficiently developed to allow for the design of a randomized trial. For example, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient sample size of participants in an intervention by conducting a preliminary study of demand. Studies based on randomized trials must analyze their ethical implications.
Beneficiaries
Research organizations, universities, healthcare institutions, technology centers, R&D centers, and other entities that promote the transfer of R&D. To participate, projects must be supported by a letter from a public administration committing to collaborate on the project.
Scope of Assistance and Duration
The assistance covers, among other things, items such as:
- Personnel costs for staff hired specifically for the project.
- Travel and per diem expenses.
- Procurement of equipment and supplies.
- Consulting, advisory services, data collection, development of training programs, project evaluation, dissemination, and publicity.
- Room rentals, conference planning, events…
Grants of up to 90% of the total project cost are available, with a maximum limit of €100,000 and a total estimated budget of three million euros. The project duration is a maximum of 24 months.
Deadlines
The application period will begin on July 1, 2026, and end on October 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time).
Submission of Applications
Applications must be submitted through the online application system available at the call for proposals’ website. Project leaders and the legal representatives of the applicant organizations must first register in the call for proposals’ Applicant Registration module and complete the corresponding application form.
Applications must include a letter of support from the government agency responsible for the public policy whose design is to be improved.