Work Programme 2025-2027
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
Funding opportunities
The capacity-building Strand 2b call is open till 19 March 2026. The Investment calls - Strand 1 & 2a will be open from 13 May 2026 to 12 November 2026.
- 23 October 2025Capacity-building Call - I3-2026-CAP2B
closing 19 March 2026
- 13 May 2026Investment Call - I3-2026-INV1
closing 12 November 2026
- 13 May 2026Investment Call - I3-2026-INV2a
closing 12 November 2026
Get support
Access the I3 Instrument Support Facility to receive guidance on building strong consortia, sharing knowledge, and aligning your activities with EU and regional priorities. Explore the I3 Instrument Observatory to access statistics on all I3 projects and detailed descriptions highlighting their focus on building interregional innovation investments. Discover recordings and presentations from monthly virtual events, review recommendations from the I3 policy discussion groups, and use the communication toolkit for practical guidance on funding opportunities, collaboration strategies, and effective 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
- 301 millioncommitted
by the end of Q1 2025, to project holders under the I3 Instrument
- 70funded projects
including both investments and capacity building projects
- 45investment projects
at least 70% of the funding directly allocated to companies and SMEs
- 25capacity 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)
News
We are inviting experts to participate in its 2026 I3 Instrument Policy Discussion Groups
On 24 September 2025, Brussels became the meeting point for Europe’s interregional innovation community. More than 170 participants from across the EU gathered for this major event: the Annual I3 Instrument Forum
I3 Instrument Work Programme 2025-2027 adopted