Transfiere 2026 spotlights dual-use technologies and advanced materials in its fifteenth edition 

Málaga, 22 october 2025.- The Organising Committee of Transfiere, the European Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation, convened today at the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to continue planning for its fifteenth edition, scheduled for 24–26 February 2026 at FYCMA (Trade Fairs and Congress Centre of Málaga), managed by Málaga City Council.

The Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre; the Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry, Teresa Riesgo; the Director General for Research Planning of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Loreto del Valle; and the President of the Organising Committee, Felipe Romera, participated in a meeting that brought together more than 70 experts and professionals in the field of innovation and knowledge transfer to learn first-hand about the updates for the upcoming edition. It is worth noting that the committee includes the main public and private entities of Spain’s innovation ecosystem, including administrations, universities, technology centres and specialised companies.

With a new visual identity reflecting its evolution towards a more open, collaborative and sustainable innovation model, Transfiere 2026 will feature new cutting-edge thematic areas such as dual-use technologies—with both civil and security/defence applications—advanced materials for strategic sectors, bioengineering and precision health, applied quantum technologies, and digital infrastructures. These themes respond to the challenges of a knowledge-based economy and strengthen Transfiere’s positioning as a strategic node within the European R&D&I ecosystem. The forum will also give visibility to local and regional innovation policies, promoting interterritorial cooperation among municipalities, provincial councils and autonomous regions.

Associated with the forum are initiatives to recognise talent and excellence across different areas of innovation, including the 11th Transfiere Journalism Award, the 6th Open Call for Deep Tech Startups, and the 3rd Innovative Company Award.

The Open Call for Deep Tech Startups promotes the international exposure of emerging European companies with high-impact technological solutions before national and international investors and experts. Applications are open until 24 November.

The Journalism Award recognises the work of journalists and communication professionals in disseminating science, technology and innovation in Spain. Submissions are evaluated based on journalistic quality, novelty of the topic, adaptation of language to different audiences, research, and relevance to Transfiere’s themes. The deadline for submissions is 6 January.

The Innovative Company Award, in turn, recognises companies that have successfully integrated innovation as a strategic driver of growth and competitiveness.

This new edition follows a successful 2025 forum that brought together more than 5,200 professionals from 40 countries and featured participation from over 700 public and private entities. On its fifteenth anniversary, the forum strengthens its role as a catalyst for strategic collaborations between the public and private sectors, facilitating access to funding, knowledge exchange, and the internationalisation of scientific and technological talent.

Transfiere is organised by Málaga City Council; the Regional Ministry of University, Research and Innovation of the Government of Andalusia; and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. FYCMA is responsible for the executive management of the event.

All information about the forum is available at  www.forotransfiere.com, and on its profiles: Facebook, X and Linkedin.