The European Investment Bank announced on 12 March that it had granted the Madrid Region two loans of EUR 200 million and EUR 80 million for renovating municipal infrastructure and building a number of research centres. The EUR 200 million loan will be used to upgrade municipal infrastructure in some 170 municipalities spread throughout the region as part of Madrid’s Regional Investment and Service Programme comprising projects in the areas of urban renewal, energy efficiency, schools, sports facilities and transport. The EUR 80 million loan will serve to finance the construction, equipping and commissioning of eight public research centres run by the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies, which promotes scientific research and innovation. Part of the EIB funds will finance researchers’ salaries.