The Plan Complementario de Astrofísica y Física de Altas Energías has reached its completion after three years of coordinated work across seven autonomous communities. The programme has been coordinated by the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) and formally closed during a meeting held from 25 to 27 November 2025 at the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, hosted by the Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC–Universidad de Cantabria).

The Plan forms part of the Planes Complementarios de I+D+I and is co-governed and co-funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the autonomous communities of Andalucía, Aragón, Cantabria, Catalunya, Comunidad de Madrid, Comunitat Valenciana and Illes Balears. The programme has mobilised more than 39 million euros, including 22.8 million from MICIU through the Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia, with the remaining investment contributed by the participating regional governments.

The final meeting in Santander brought together representatives from the participating regions and research institutions, as well as delegates from national and regional administrations, including José Ignacio Doncel (Subdirector General de Grandes Instalaciones Científico-Técnicas, MICIU), Jesús Salvador (responsable de los Planes Complementarios, MICIU), Sergio Silva (Consejero de Cantabria) and the directors-general Loreto del Valle (Andalucía), Pilar Gayán (Aragón), Sebastià Massanet (Illes Balears), Teresa Sanchís (Catalunya) and Marina Villegas (Comunidad de Madrid). Institutions presented the main outcomes and confirmed the continuity of collaborative work beyond the end of the programme.

IFAE researchers Lluïsa Maria Mir, Giulio Luccheta, Thorsten Lux, Elizabeth González (PIC), Jorge Carretero (PIC), Stefano Terzo and Ramon Miquel attended the meeting and contributed talks.

About the Plan Complementario de Astrofísica y Física de Altas Energías

Under the theme “Tecnologías avanzadas para la exploración del Universo y sus componentes,” the Plan has strengthened national capabilities in astrophysics and high-energy physics through eight coordinated lines of action. These include instrumentation for future particle and nuclear experiments, infrastructures for astrophysics and gravitational waves, large-scale astronomical surveys, neutrino research, direct dark-matter searches, space missions with small satellites, and advances in computing, big data and artificial intelligence. The programme has supported the development of new prototypes and infrastructures, reinforced data-processing capacity and consolidated a national network with long-term continuity.

The coordinated action has generated measurable results, including the recruitment of 284 professionals, the creation of six patents, 44 collaborations with industry and the establishment of one spin-off. The initiative has also promoted scientific outreach, training activities and stronger links between research, education and society.

The Plan Complementario de Astrofísica y Física de Altas Energías is co-funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the participating autonomous communities and the European Union – NextGenerationEU, within the framework of the Planes Complementarios de I+D+I.