The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CDTI Innovación and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) marks a significant milestone for Spanish companies and startups. This agreement opens the door to one of the world’s most prestigious knowledge and innovation ecosystems, allowing Spanish entities to tap into MIT’s vast resources and expertise.
CDTI Innovación, the state innovation agency under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, has entered into this partnership as part of MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program (ILP). This four-year collaboration aims to foster technological cooperation between MIT and Spanish businesses, focusing on deep-tech innovations that are crucial for the national innovation landscape. By becoming an institutional member of the ILP, CDTI gains access to a network that has been at the forefront of university-industry collaboration for over four decades.
The essence of this agreement lies in the understanding that direct access to cutting-edge scientific knowledge is vital for enhancing the competitiveness of technology companies in the global arena. The collaboration between CDTI and MIT is envisioned as a bridge connecting Spain’s innovative business sector with one of the world’s leading science and technology hubs. The goal is to translate this connection into tangible technological partnerships that can drive innovation.
The ability of companies to absorb and implement advanced scientific knowledge is a key factor in their differentiation and scalability in international markets. The MIT ILP is designed to facilitate this process, and CDTI’s membership opens up pathways for Spanish companies to engage with MIT researchers and access technologies in high-impact fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, energy, and quantum computing. Notably, the priority areas for collaboration in 2026 will include fusion and microelectronics.
In 2024, the United States emerged as CDTI’s primary international partner, with eight approved projects under its bilateral technological cooperation initiative. The new CDTI–MIT ILP agreement not only strengthens this existing relationship but also enhances CDTI’s international cooperation network, making it the most active partnership to date.
The agreement outlines three key action areas: first, facilitating CDTI’s access to interactions with the MIT community; second, jointly organizing events to explore technological collaboration opportunities; and third, establishing a dedicated advisory channel through the CDTI Office in the United States to assist companies in navigating this new framework.
This collaboration aligns seamlessly with the technology transfer and international cooperation priorities outlined in CDTI’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. It also complements CDTI’s initiatives aimed at promoting science-based innovation, such as NEOTEC, which supports high-tech startups, and Innvierte, a public venture capital program designed to bolster technology companies with scaling potential.
For those interested in learning more about the activities stemming from this agreement, the CDTI Office in the United States can be contacted at eeuu@cdti.es.
About CDTI Innovación
The Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI E.P.E.) serves as the innovation agency for the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities in Spain. Its mission is to promote technological innovation within the business sector, ensuring that the Spanish ecosystem can generate and transform scientific and technical knowledge into sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, CDTI allocated over €2 billion in support to Spanish companies and startups, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation.
More Information:
Web: www.cdti.es
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X: https://x.com/CDTI_innovacion
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CDTIoficial
