The Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3) creates linkages for interregional collaboration bringing together actors from different EU regions investing in joint innovation projects along S3 priorities and close to the market.
Programme name
Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Strand 1 - Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects.
Objective(s) and scope
The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, under the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), supports interregional innovation projects in their scale-up and commercialisation phases. It helps overcome regulatory and market barriers, bringing projects to investment level.
Through Smart Specialisation and interregional collaboration, I3 Instrument strengthens regional ecosystems, fosters sustainable investment connections, and accelerates market uptake of research results.
The I3 Instrument’s new three-year Work Programme 2025-2027 focuses on scaling innovation, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems, and supporting interregional collaboration. It will help innovation actors turn ideas into investment-ready projects.
Programme structure:
- Strand 1 supports consortia from regions with shared smart specialisation areas, ready to invest in interregional innovation projects.
- Strand 2a funds value chain development in less developed regions, integrating them into EU value chains.
- Strand 2b strengthens regional innovation ecosystems, building capacity for interregional business cases.
Financing value
Maximum of EUR 10 million per project. EU contribution of 70% for all beneficiaries and cost categories. Total amount available under this programme is EUR 176 million.
Low capital (EUR 0-5 million)
Mid capital (EUR 5-50 million)
Eligibility criteria (if available)
Supports investments in the following areas:
- Green transition
- Digital transition
- Smart manufacturing
Conditions:
- Be legal entities
- Be established in one of the participating countries
- Minimum 3- 5 partners from different Member States and regional ecosystems
- Innovation and impact-oriented investments
- Close to market projects or activities (TRL 6-9)
Application period
For Strand 1 & 2a: 22 May 2025 – 13 November 2025
For Strand 2b: October 2025 – 19 March 2026
Technology readiness level (TRL)
Medium TRLs (i.e. 5-7): Prototype validation
High TRLs (i.e. 8-9): Market readiness
Multiple
