I3-2026-INV1 - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1

What is this call about?

The call funds interregional consortia that scale up and commercialise innovations in shared smart specialisation areas, linking less developed and more developed regions. Requested grants normally range from €2,000,000 to €10,000,000.

What does this call fund?

Scope

Strand 1 of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, aims to increase the competitiveness and resilience of EU value chains through interregional cooperation in shared or complementary smart specialisation areas. Consortia of innovation actors from quadruple helix ecosystems receive financial and advisory support to bring their innovations to maturity for scale-up and commercialisation, while reducing the innovation divide and integrating all regions, in particular less developed ones, into European value chains. Projects must also strengthen the investment readiness of participants and create credible pathways for investment after the project.

What projects should facilitate

• Development and expansion of existing interregional and cross-border value chains and stronger links between regional innovation ecosystems.
• Collaboration between innovation actors, especially SMEs, from less developed and more developed regions.
• Support for innovation actors whose investment ideas can become mature business cases.
• Identification of new regional technology domains and market opportunities aligned with EU priorities, bridging supply and demand.

Business and investment cases start at technology readiness level 6 or above and aim at demonstration, market uptake and commercialisation, with companies, especially SMEs, in the lead. Support takes one or both forms: financial support, directly to consortium beneficiaries or through cascade funding to third parties, and non-financial support such as business and investment planning, intellectual property protection, certification, commercialisation, standardisation, tailored support for integrating key enabling and deep technologies into production, and support for testing, demonstration and piloting. Proposals must address one or more of three thematic priorities: digital transition, green transition and smart manufacturing.

Specific requirements

At least 70% of total direct eligible costs must go to investments in companies, with a focus on SMEs, and at least 50% of total eligible costs must be incurred in less developed regions. Financial support to third parties may not exceed 30% of total eligible costs, and support to each recipient may not exceed €100,000 unless a higher amount is duly justified in the application. Proposals must include a strategy for active participation of entities from less developed, transition and outermost regions, particularly those with limited past participation, with plans to replicate results and engage regional authorities. Applicants are encouraged to engage with the Smart Specialisation Community of Practice and the I3 support facility.

Expected impact

New technologies tested and adopted by the market and by SMEs; stronger digitalisation and growth of businesses; growth of Europe's manufacturing sector; identification of funding sources for residual investment needs; and stronger innovation diffusion channels. Longer term, the call aims to reduce disparities between regions and strengthen EU value chains and competitiveness.

When is the deadline?

12 November 2026 (6 days)

12 November 2026, 17:00:00 CET (Brussels). The indicative timetable foresees evaluation from November 2026 to April 2027, results in May 2027 and grant agreement signature in August 2027.