Overview
This call aims to support integrated business research, development and innovation (R&D&I) operations focused on the development and manufacturing of critical technologies, as well as on the preservation and strengthening of their respective value chains, within strategic sectors covered by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Supported investments should primarily target higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL ≥ 6). However, developments starting from a minimum of TRL 4 may also be eligible, provided that they lead to the commercial production of critical technologies and effectively foster productive innovation. Operations must be implemented under a co-promotion model, involving companies of any size and, where applicable, Non-Business Entities of the Research and Innovation System (ENESII).
The indicative total budget for this call is €153 million
Beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries include companies of any size, nature and legal form
ENESII entities are also eligible, including those located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, where applicable.
Eligible operations must be located in mainland Portugal, within the NUTS II regions of Norte, Centro, Alentejo and Algarve, with the location of the operation corresponding to the region where the investment is carried out.
Eligible Actions
The following actions are eligible under the R&D component:
- Industrial Research (TRL 4);
- Experimental Development activities (TRL 5 to 7).
Industrial research activities associated with lower TRLs must represent a minor share of the overall R&D actions.
Eligible interventions include initial investments or initial investments in favour of a new economic activity, falling under one of the following categories:
- Creation of a new establishment;
- Diversification of the activity of an existing establishment, provided that the new activity is not the same as or similar to the activity previously carried out at the establishment;
- Diversification of production into products or services not previously produced or provided at the establishment;
- Fundamental change in the overall production process or overall service provision of an existing establishment.
Application Period
Applications are open until 30 April 2026.
Eligible Expenditure
R&D Component
A. Personnel costs for the beneficiary’s technical staff dedicated to R&D activities, including salary costs related to the recruitment of human resources (including remote working arrangements),
as well as costs related to fellows and seconded or temporarily assigned staff whose
remuneration is borne by the beneficiary;
B. Costs related to the acquisition of patents from external sources or licensed at market prices,
resulting in their effective internalisation by the beneficiary;
C. Costs of raw materials and consumables;
D. Costs related to the acquisition of components required for the construction of pilot, experimental or demonstration facilities and for the development of prototypes;
E. Costs of acquiring services from third parties, including technical, scientific and consultancy services, as well as costs arising from the use of open innovation and crowdsourcing electronic platforms, directly linked to the operation;
F. Costs related to the acquisition of instruments, technical-scientific equipment and specific software demonstrably necessary for the implementation of the operation;
G. Costs associated with patent applications, utility models, designs or models, including fees, professional services and other related expenses;
H. Costs related to the promotion and dissemination of project results to end-user sectors or target companies, including registration and rental of spaces abroad, excluding operating expenses and costs of a commercial nature;
I. Travel and accommodation costs directly attributable to the operation and demonstrably necessary for its execution, excluding travel for commercial contacts or purposes;
J. Costs related to the certification process of the R&D&I management system, in accordance with NP 4457:2021;
K. Costs related to the intervention of a technical-scientific auditor, as well as certified accountants or statutory auditors for the validation of expenditure in payment requests.
Productive Innovation Component
A. Tangible assets, including the acquisition of machinery and equipment, costs directly attributable to placing them in the location and operating conditions required for their functioning, as well as IT equipment, including software necessary for their operation;
B. Intangible assets, including technology transfer through the acquisition of national and international patent rights, licences, non-patented technical knowledge, and standard software or software developed for a specific purpose;
C. Other investment-related costs (SMEs), including costs associated with certified accountants or statutory auditors for the validation of expenditure in payment requests, engineering services, studies, diagnostics, audits, marketing plans, and architectural and engineering projects.
Nature, Form and Aid Intensity
Support is granted in the form of a non-repayable grant, based on eligible actual costs.
R&D Component
- Base rate of up to 50% for Industrial Research;
- Base rate of up to 25% for Experimental Development;
- Possibility of aid intensity increases up to a maximum of 80%, in accordance with Article 49 of the
REITD;
- ENESII entities may benefit from an aid intensity of up to 85%, provided that no indirect State aid to companies is involved.
Productive Innovation Component:
Aid intensities may not exceed the maximum rates set out in the Regional Aid Map 2022–2027.
For PR Algarve, the de minimis regime may apply, with an aid intensity of up to 40%.
Applicable Legislation
Ministerial Order (Portaria) No. 429/2025/1, of 4 December, as currently in force.