The Government of the Canary Islands, through the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, led by Migdalia Machín, has allocated a total of 424.5 million euros in the 2025 budgets to strengthen the academic, scientific and cultural system of the archipelago.
University investment
In 2023, this investment was 270.4 million euros, increasing to more than 278 million in 2024. For 2025, the allocation to the university and research field reaches 287.6 million euros, which represents an increase of 9.6 million compared to the previous year. This figure includes resources from the Recovery and Resilience funds (MRR) and specific funding for the incorporation of 188 new Assistant Professor Doctors, consolidating the largest budgetary support in the history of the Canary Islands universities.
This increase in funding also strengthens the management of university research, facilitating programs to modernize infrastructure, promote international collaboration and consolidate a high-quality university system. The additional funds will be used to improve educational resources, increase scholarships and grants, and strengthen the connection with the productive sector.
Councilor Migdalia Machín stressed that "this budget represents a firm support for our public universities, which are essential spaces for training and critical awareness. We are committed to ensuring that every young Canary Islander can access quality higher education, regardless of their economic situation or geographical location."
Scholarships, contracts and innovation
On the other hand, the Ministry of Universities has allocated 10.5 million euros in scholarships for higher education in the 2024-2025 academic year, in addition to about 700,000 euros in travel aid, thus facilitating access to higher education for students residing in the Canary Islands, regardless of their personal circumstances.
The investment in academic talent is complemented by the María Goyri program, which will allow the hiring of 188 new Assistant Professor Doctors in the public universities of the Canary Islands. In collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Innovation, this program responds to the need to renew and strengthen university staff, consolidating the capacity of the Canary Islands institutions to offer quality higher education.
The Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI) receives an investment of 55 million euros, which represents an increase of 22.04%. To this figure are added the funds of Recovery and Resilience (MRR), destined to reinforce the collaboration and to promote the transfer of knowledge from the academic scope towards the productive sector. This allocation includes 8.4 million euros for collaborative projects and 2.5 million specifically for innovation. This support is fundamental to promote the social and economic development of the islands, consolidating the Canary Islands as a reference in research and technology.
Culture and Heritage: Disseminate, protect and conserve identity
The item destined to culture and cultural heritage reaches 43.4 million euros, which represents an increase of 7.25% with respect to the previous budget. In detail, 27 million euros are allocated for cultural promotion, 9.2 million for the conservation and protection of heritage, and 6.3 million for library and archive services. This investment is essential to reinforce cultural identity and guarantee access to knowledge and history of the Canary Islands.
"From the Ministry, we continue to disseminate, protect and conserve the cultural heritage of our islands, bringing culture closer to every corner of the archipelago. We invest in spaces accessible to knowledge, fundamental for an informed society connected with its roots," said the councilor.
With an investment of 6.3 million euros, an increase of 15.14%, the modernization of infrastructures and the improvement of the services of libraries and archives throughout the Canary Islands is ensured. This increase "reinforces libraries as centers open to learning and research, promoting equal access to the educational and cultural resources of the islands".
