Combatting fraud

As part of its commitment to protecting the financial interests of the European Union and using Recovery and Resilience Mechanism funds in compliance with applicable EU and Spanish legislation, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has implemented several initiatives for the prevention, detection and correction of fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest. These include adopting an institutional declaration attesting to its commitment to the highest standards of legal, ethical and moral compliance and its adherence to the strictest principles of integrity, objectivity and honesty.

In addition, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has a mailbox for reporting possible cases of fraud, corruption and conflict of interest related to activities funded by European Funds (antifraude.mcin@ciencia.gob.es). In accordance with Law 2/2023, of 20 February, regulating the protection of persons who report regulatory infringements and fight against corruption, the identity of the person submitting a report shall be kept confidential, the anonymity of such reports shall be preserved at all times, and under no circumstances may actions of retaliation, including threats of retaliation and attempts at retaliation, be carried out against persons who submit a report.

The National Anti-Fraud Coordination Service, which reports to the Comptroller General of the State (IGAE) within the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for coordinating all actions related to the protection of the financial interests of the European Union against fraud in collaboration with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).