Aragon’s Department of Education, Science and Universities will have a consolidated budget of €1.8976 billion in 2027, after adding €361 million more in its own funds than in the previous fiscal year. The budget increases funding by 24% and earmarks more than €50 million for construction, equipment and the modernization of educational facilities.
More than €50 million to upgrade schools and high schools in Aragon
The budget presented by regional minister Carmen Susín to the Finance Committee of the Aragon Parliament strengthens investment in educational infrastructure. The allocation for construction and equipment exceeds €50 million, of which €45.5 million will finance the construction, renovation and modernization of schools and high schools across the region’s three provinces.
The allocation also includes capital transfers and European ERDF funds for thermal insulation, energy-efficiency and facility-renewal projects. The Aulas que respiran program will receive €15 million in 2027, three times the €5 million spent in 2026. To date, the plan has funded 173 projects at 116 public schools in Aragon.
In addition, the Department will launch its first technical inventory of educational assets, aimed at assessing building envelopes and energy systems. Planned projects include roof improvements at the residential facilities of IES Pirámide and CPIFP Montearagón in Huesca, and at CRA Cuna de Jiloca in Santa Eulalia; energy-efficiency work at Zaragoza’s IES Virgen del Pilar; and upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems at CPIFP Los Enlaces.
The plan also includes the removal of architectural barriers and the installation of elevators in educational facilities, coordinated with provincial councils.
Monzón, Zaragoza and Teruel account for the main education construction projects
In the province of Huesca, the budget includes more than €4.5 million to begin construction of Monzón’s second high school, a project with a multiyear investment of more than €15.9 million. The future facility will offer secondary education, upper secondary education and vocational training.
The province of Huesca will also receive €2.25 million for projects at CRA Montearagón in Chimillas, the expansion of IES Sierra de Guara and the new Caneto school, as well as other planned initiatives in Binéfar and Barbastro.
In Zaragoza, the largest allocations are earmarked for the expansion of CPI El Espartidero in Santa Isabel, with €3.8 million; CPI Valdespartera IV, with €3.3 million; and the conversion of CPI Valdespartera III, which will receive €3 million to expand into secondary education. IES Valdespartera will receive €2.6 million, while the budget also includes construction projects in Alagón, Calatayud, Villamayor, La Muela and Épila.
In Teruel, the Department is advancing the second phase of CEIP Ensanche and plans to finance, through the Teruel Investment Fund, construction of the Vocational Training Hangar for Aircraft Mechanical Maintenance at Teruel Airport.
University funding and research gain prominence in the 2027 budget
The budget lists improved teaching conditions among its priorities, including a 7.75% pay increase, as well as stronger services for families. It earmarks €39 million for school meal programs and €26.5 million for school transportation.
The core transfer to the public university amounts to €245 million, €51.5 million more than the previous year. The new comprehensive funding model for the University of Zaragoza for the 2027-2031 period is close to being finalized. The budget also includes €17.5 million for research and university infrastructure and nearly €3 million for renovations, including the Faculty of Medicine.
The R&D&I Fund reaches €246.7 million. Meanwhile, the Directorate General for Science and Research will increase its own budget by 25%, to €34.7 million. Measures include the expansion of Odón de Buen postdoctoral contracts, rising from 19 to 25 positions; more than €5 million for the ARAID Foundation; and an €8 million call over three years for applied research and disruptive-technology projects under the Deep Science & Tech program.
