Budget for 2026

Following the 2026-2029 Funding Agreement signed with the Valencian Regional Government, these accounts enhance the financial stability of the institution, enabling it to carry out its teaching, research, and knowledge transfer activities and fulfil its commitment to Valencian society.

The president of the Social Council, Mónica Bragado, has welcomed the historic agreement reached by the universities with the Valencian Regional Government to establish a multi-year funding plan and, in particular, has highlighted that these budgets demonstrate "the UPV's firm and decisive commitment to high-quality teaching, excellent research and a clear boost to the transfer of knowledge to the business sector and, by extension, to society as a whole '

Rector José E. Capilla pointed out that this scenario' allows us to continue moving forward with ambition to consolidate the UPV as the leading technological university in Spain and as an international benchmark, always based on rigorous and transparent management of public resources".

The budget of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) for 2026 is structured in a balanced manner, with income and expenditure aimed at guaranteeing the economic sustainability of the university and its capacity for medium- and long-term planning. In terms of income, the accounts distinguish between structural income and earmarked income, two key categories that help understand the functioning of the university's teaching and R&D activities.

Income

Structural income amounts to €344 million, representing a 7.2% increase over the 2024 financial year, which was extended into 2025. This block includes ordinary funding from the Valencian Regional Government, income from enrolment in official degree programmes and other recurring resources associated with university activity. These are the revenues that cover the institution's fixed structural personnel and operating costs, ensuring the continuity of essential services.

Alongside these, earmarked income amounts to €113 million and is used exclusively to finance specific actions funded by third parties. Part of these resources, €8.5 million, is allocated to scholarships, grants and university programmes, reinforcing policies to support students and equal opportunities.

The bulk of the earmarked revenue, €101.1 million, is allocated to lifelong learning and research, development and innovation activities, including competitive projects, contracts and agreements with companies and institutions, as well as knowledge transfer initiatives.

The Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València, José E. Capilla, stressed that the approval of this budget, together with the Budget Framework and the Multi-year Funding Plan 2026-2029, 'provides the UPV with the financial stability and legal certainty that are essential for rigorous and forward-looking planning'.

In this regard, he emphasised that having a clear multi-year horizon, long sought after by the UPV, enables the university to develop sustained policies, promote strategic projects, and make informed decisions in key areas such as teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and the recruitment and retention of talent.

The rector also pointed out that this scenario of stability 'allows us to continue moving forward with ambition to consolidate the UPV as the leading technological university in Spain and as a national and international benchmark', always based on rigorous and transparent management of public resources within the continuous exercise of accountability to society.

'These are budgets built on consensus and responsibility, designed for the entire university community, to strengthen the public university system and to generate impact and value in Valencian society, to which we are accountable,' he concluded.

For his part, the UPV University Manager, Jesús Marí, assured that "thanks to the new 2026-2029 Funding Agreement, unanimously approved by the five Valencian public universities last October, the UPV consolidates ordinary funding from the Regional Government of more than €287 million, maintaining internal savings in structural resources of approximately €22 million."

Expenditure

In terms of expenditure, the budget clearly reflects the strategic priorities of the UPV. Staff costs amount to £255.7 million and cover the remuneration of teaching, research and management staff, as well as the corresponding social security contributions. This effort is essential to maintain academic quality, research excellence and the smooth running of the university.

General operating expenses amount to €61.9 million and cover the structural costs necessary for the normal day-to-day of the institution, maintenance of facilities, energy supplies, cleaning, security, and general services across the different campuses.

The budget allocated to real investments amounts to €126.9 million, representing a 12% increase over the previous year. This rise reinforces the UPV's investment capacity in infrastructure, teaching and scientific equipment, as well as research projects and actions aimed at the modernisation and sustainability of the campuses.

The budget also strengthens funding for academic units, with an 8.4% increase in resources allocated to teaching centres, departments and research structures. The aim is to support their teaching and research activities and consolidate an allocation model based on activity and results.

Finally, the budget allocated to corporate governance amounts to €62.5 million. It shows significant growth in spending on RAM infrastructure and projects complementary to the 2025-2028 UPV Investment Plan, with an increase of €7.9 million, as well as for the reinforcement of research, with a rise of €2.1 million, highlighting the programme for attracting research talent of excellence. Likewise, areas related to coexistence and well-being, digital transformation, and policies on employment, lifelong learning and languages have been reinforced.

Overall, the UPV's budget for 2026 consolidates a solid, balanced and responsible economic model, designed to strengthen the public university system and generate a positive and sustained impact on Valencian society.

In the opinion of the University Manager, "the University is in good financial health. Nevertheless, expenditure in 2026 will increase by 7.1%, more than £30 million, compared to the initial budget for 2025, with personnel costs reaching £255 million, an increase of more than £13 million, or 5.5% more than in the previous financial year."

Beihang International Campus, China

In addition, the last Governing Council meeting of the year has approved the proposal for the verification report for six university master's degrees to be taught at the new Beihang campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València, promoting their implementation. These are university master's degrees in Aerospace Systems, Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Wireless Communications, Computer Science and Technology, Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics Engineering.