Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument Open Calls 2024
Introduction
The European Commission launched new calls for the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument’s Strand 1 and Strand 2a on June 6, 2024. These calls, open until December 5, 2024, complement the Horizon Europe call on European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) and are part of the Regional Innovation Valleys Initiative.
Funding targets consortia of innovation actors from regions with varying development levels and shared or complementary smart specialisation areas. These interregional investments involve coordinated and interlinked investments across participating regions.
Strand 1 focuses on supporting interregional innovation investments to strengthen, connect, or expand existing value chains, fostering local innovation and smart economic transformation.
Strand 2a aims to develop value chains in less developed regions, enhancing the integration of innovation actors in EU value chains.
Applications must address one of the following thematic priorities:
- Digital transition
- Green transition
- Smart manufacturing
With a view to stimulating innovation and in turn opportunities for high skills jobs, the situation of regions facing difficulties in retaining and attracting talent will be duly considered.
The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument financed from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF represents an opportunity to support interregional portfolios of companies’ investments bringing innovation to the market at high technology readiness levels (TRL 6-9) and reshaping EU interregional value chains. The cohesion dimension is very pronounced under the I3 Instrument scheme and the interconnection of regional innovation ecosystems along the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) priorities.
The general objective of the I3 Instrument is to promote innovation, innovation diffusion, and the reinforcement of EU and regional value chains, through cooperation on the basis of shared priorities and complementary capabilities.
How to apply
Consortia can apply for these I3 calls published in the EC Funding & Tender Portal.
An additional I3 Instrument Strand 2b call for financial and advisory support in capacity building will be published in the EC Funding & Tender Portal in Q4 2024.
A digital information session on the calls targeted at eligible applicants was organised online on 13 June 2024. The recording of this event is available on the website, together with the link to the Power Point Presentation used during the event by the speakers.
Who can express interest?
I3 Instrument Calls are targeting consortia of innovation actors from the quadruple helix ecosystems (companies, SMEs, academia, public authority, civil society).
Consortium compositions vary between strands and must include stakeholders from a minimum number of EU regions and Member states, with a strong emphasis on interregional cooperation. Consortium coordinators must be non-profit entities. More detailed information can be found in both call texts.
What support will be provided
The objective of the I3 Instrument is to support interregional innovation investments by offering consortia the necessary financial and advisory support to bring their innovations to a mature level, ready for commercialisation and scale-up, while bridging and reducing the innovation divide in Europe.
Selection/Timeline
For both Strand 1 and 2a calls for proposals, the timeline foreseen is:
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June 6, 2024Call opening
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December 5, 2024 at 17:00 CET (Brussels)Deadline for submission
Contact
Links to pages on DGs website and email address where questions can be asked.
I3 Instrument calls are managed by EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency).
For help related to these calls, please contact: EISMEA-I3-INSTRUMENT@ec.europa.eu.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – Submission of proposals.