Work Programme 2025-2027 adopted
The European Commission has adopted the new Work Programme for the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument for 2025-2027, allocating €176 million. The next calls are planned to open in May and October 2025
What is the I3 Instrument
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.
- Budget
- over €490 million available in the 2021-2027 programming period
- up to €10 million per project
- 70 % of EU contribution for all beneficiaries and cost categories
- 100 % of EU contribution of financial support to third parties
- Investment project requirements
- minimum 3- 5 partners from different Member States and regional ecosystems
- close to market projects (TRL 6-9)
- innovation and impact oriented investments
- 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.
- I3 Instrument under the ERDF
ERDF funds interregional innovation projects (TRL 6-9) to reshape EU value chains and bring innovations to market.
It supports investments under shared smart specialisation (S3) in:
- Green transition
- Digital transition
- Smart manufacturing
2025 calls
For 2025, following calls are planned. (More information will follow after the Work Programme 2025 - 2027 adoption. Dates are indicative).
- 22 May 2025Investment Calls: Strand 1 & 2a
closing 13 November 2025
- 23 October 2025Final Capacity Building Call Cap2b
19 March 2026
Get support
Access the I3 Instrument Support Facility for guidance on building consortia, sharing knowledge, and aligning with EU and regional priorities. Explore the FAQs, Info Day recordings, and communication toolkit for guidance on funding, collaboration, and outreach.
- Frequently asked questions
For detailed guidance on eligibility, application procedures, and funding rules, consult the FAQs on the Funding and Tenders Portal.
- Recordings & presentations
Access recordings and presentations from I3 Instrument Info Days: detailed guidance, and practical tips to prepare a strong proposal.
- Communication for funded projects
Effectively promote your actions and results. Plan, tailor your messaging and learn about your obligations as a EU grant recipient.
Funded projects
- 224 millioncommitted
by the end of Q1 2025, to project holders under the I3 Instrument
- 53funded projects
including both investments and capacity building projects
- 35investment projects
at least 70% of the funding directly allocated to companies and SMEs
- 18capacity building projects
ecosystem growth, investment scouting, networking & benchmarking
Regional Innovation Valleys
The Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) (RIVs) initiative, part of the New European Innovation Agenda,connects regions across the EU, including those with lower innovation performance, by leveraging strategic regional strengths in line with smart specialisation strategies and EU priorities.
The European Commission allocated EUR 122 million from Horizon Europe (European Innovation Ecosystems) and the European Regional Development Fund (I3 Instrument).
In 2023, EISMEA received 57 proposals (49 under the I3 Instrument and 8 under European Innovation Ecosystems) and selected 15 projects for funding ( 10 under I3 Instrument and 5 under the EIE)
