The Canary Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI), a management center dependent on the Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, includes in its 2026 Action Program the promotion of the participation of Canary entities in European research, innovation and cooperation projects.
Within this framework, five projects selected in competitive calls for the Interreg MAC 2021-2027 Program mobilize a total of 16,286,117.15 euros to develop cooperation actions in strategic areas for the Canary Islands.
The initiatives IDIWATER, ACUICONECTA, CALYPSO, A3M Atlantic and Blue Supply Chain strengthen collaboration between research centers, companies and other agents in Macaronesia and other Atlantic territories, and promote applied research, knowledge transfer, business innovation and the development of new capabilities.
Applied research in the water sector
The IDIWATER project, led by the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC), has 3,513,967 euros and is aimed at promoting applied research, innovation and public-private knowledge transfer in the industrial water sector.
The initiative pays special attention to desalination and its connections with agriculture and energy, with the aim of developing advanced solutions adapted to the territory's needs and promoting collaboration between companies and research centers.
IDIWATER also includes the shared use of existing infrastructures and scientific resources, such as the DESAL+ LIVING LAB platform, to address common water-related challenges in the cooperation area.
More sustainable and resilient aquaculture
Also led by the ITC, ACUICONECTA has 3,699,616.87 euros to strengthen the connection between research, industry and society in the field of aquaculture.
The project brings together actors from the Azores, the Canary Islands and Madeira and establishes cooperation channels with countries on the African Atlantic coast to address challenges related to the generation and distribution of quality food, the improvement of production processes and the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient production model.
The initiative focuses on applied research and the validation of results in relevant environments, as well as on the transfer of knowledge to the private sector and the shared use of equipment, technologies, and services.
The potential of algae for new products
The CALYPSO project, led by the Canary Foundation Science and Technology Park of the ULPGC, has 3,513,567 euros and works on the use of algae and industrial by-products to develop new bioprocesses and products.
Its activity focuses especially on the production of algal polysaccharides for their application in areas such as agri-food, biomaterials, the environment, aquaculture, and biomedicine.
The project aims to contribute to the diversification of the business fabric and the development of a bluer, circular, and low-carbon economy, through the sustainable use of renewable resources and raw materials.
Innovation and internationalization of blue economy companies
A3M Atlantic, led by the Canary Maritime Cluster, has 2,686,931.86 euros to promote the sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs linked to the blue economy in the mid-Atlantic.
The initiative strengthens the A3M alliance and expands its scope beyond the MAC territories, with actions aimed at boosting innovation and internationalization of companies, developing pilot projects and joint solutions, and improving their capabilities through training and support.
The project pays attention to both consolidated sectors, such as fishing and aquaculture, transport and port services, and emerging areas related to blue energies, marine biotechnology, robotics, desalination, and ecosystem services.
Boost for the offshore wind value chain
Finally, Blue Supply Chain, led by the Canary Federation of Port Companies (Fedeport), has 2,872,034.42 euros to enhance the role of companies in the deployment of the marine renewable energy industry.
The project aims to promote the incorporation of SMEs from participating regions into the offshore wind value chain, leveraging local resources and accumulated business experience in sectors linked to renewable energies and maritime-port activity.
Among its actions are the adaptation of port infrastructures, the promotion of innovation, training to respond to the new needs of the industry, and the dissemination of the economic and social benefits associated with the development of marine energies.
Participation in these five European projects thus reinforces one of the lines of ACIISI's 2026 Action Plan, aimed at strengthening research, innovation, knowledge transfer, and collaboration between the agents of the Canary ecosystem and other territories.
Through these initiatives, the Canary Islands expand their cooperation capacity in the Atlantic space and promote joint projects to address strategic challenges related to water, marine resources, the blue economy, and the energy transition.
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