The Xunta de Galicia will support a total of six new joint research units and three joint research centres with a 10 million euro contribution from the Galician Innovation Agency (Gain), which will allow a total public-private investment of 24.5 million euros.

In this way, continuity is given to this instrument of cooperation, encouraging cooperation between Galician bodies of knowledge and the business community to promote joint and coordinated research, innovation and development activities aligned with the strategic challenges of the RIS3 of Galicia.

These grants may be applied for by groupings between a Galician research organisation and a company, in exceptional cases two, that constitute a mixed research unit. The companies making up the joint research units may be small, medium or large in size.

Of the six new joint research units (UMI), two are linked to the automotive industry and the rest to the ICT, food, environment and materials sectors. Specifically, CTAG and the Copo Group will cooperate with an IMU focused on the design and efficient manufacture of foams for automotive components in the customisation of vehicles, improving their occupants' wellbeing and safety.

CTAG will also cooperate with Akwel in carrying out work focused on introducing innovations in vehicle access systems integrating sensors to activate and control the opening of doors, as well as integrating solutions that improve comfort and user experience when accessing the vehicle.

Gradiant and Councilbox Technology advance in identity management and cybersecurity in telematic processes. For their part, Anfaco, Lagumar Seas and Anguilas Aguinaga will address several lines of action to develop advanced technologies and introduce digitisation in the Galician shellfish sector.

Cetim will take part in two mixed units. On the one hand, together with Tratamiento Industrial del Agua, it will promote the Aquatim project to move towards a circular, efficient, safe and resilient water cycle. On the other hand, together with Ferroglobe Innovation, it will develop the Volta initiative to search for silicon-based solutions, mainly lithium-ion batteries that improve charging speed and autonomy.

Three mixed research centres

Furthermore, three joint research centres will be supported, a new line opened this year with the aim of providing stability to the units consolidated in the 2017 and 2018 calls for proposals. In this way, they will contribute to increasing the participating companies' competitiveness and international expansion while generating scientific-technical knowledge of excellence and maintaining the qualified employment created.

A project of the UDC and Navantia will be promoted that will allow further progress in the shipyard of the future; and an initiative of CTAG with Magna Seating Vigo to delve into the new existing potential in the design and development of innovative frames for seats oriented to sustainable mobility, taking into account electrification and self-driving. In addition, Cetagua and Viaqua will promote Cigat Circular, to investigate advanced treatments for the elimination of microplastics and the obtaining of reusable water, the use of green hydrogen and biomethane and the production of biocomposites, among others.

Since the launch of this programme in 2014 - and including this new call - the Xunta de Galicia, through the Galician Innovation Agency (Gain), has supported with 48 million euros a total of 55 units and mixed centres mobilising 154 million. These initiatives are also contributing to the creation of skilled employment, the promotion of R&D&I transfer to the Galician business fabric, bringing foreign companies to Galicia, developing the capabilities of Galician research organisations in cutting-edge sectors and improving companies' competitiveness.

The programme is generating new opportunities to attract investment to Galicia and to attract and retain the talent of hundreds of highly qualified professionals.