On the afternoon of 29 May, during a press conference held by the Liguria Regional Authority, the launch of the 2021–2027 ERDF call for proposals was announced, aimed at funding research and experimental development projects carried out by businesses affiliated with research and innovation clusters.
By Council Resolution No. 481 of 26 May 2023, the new regional call for proposals was approved by 25 million euros, forming part of Action 1.1.1 of the 2021–2027 Regional Operational Programme (ROP) under the ERDF and intended to fund industrial research and experimental development projects in the three areas of the regional Smart Specialisation Strategy (safety and quality of life in the region, marine technologies, health and life sciences).
This measure is intended to focus efforts in industrial research, experimental development and technology transfer on technologies with the greatest impact on the production system – that is, those close to market with a high TRL – as well as on strategic areas for the development and competitive positioning of the economic system, represented by Smart Specialisation Strategy.
The Region also intends to strengthen cooperation between the business sector, universities and regional research centres.
The scheme provides for a non-repayable grant of between 25 per cent and 70 per cent for Research and Development projects, which must have eligible costs of between 400,000 and 2 million euros and a duration not exceeding 18 months.
The following are eligible to apply for a grant: small, medium and large enterprises either individually (SMEs only) or as a group, organised as a temporary association of companies (ATS), belonging to one of the 5 Research and Innovation Clusters in the Liguria Region.
The large enterprises are eligible for funding exclusively in collaboration with SMEs, for activities aimed at developing and strengthening the latter’s research and innovation capabilities, as well as at introducing advanced technologies.
The project must therefore have a significant impact on SMEs.
ATSs may provide for the participation of research organisations (ROs), which may not contribute more than 20 per cent of the project’s eligible costs.
The deadlines for submitting project proposals are:
– pre-application phase from 29 May 2023 to 26 June 2023
Projects can be submitted via the “Online calls for applications” system at filse.it
– in offline mode: from the 27 June 2023
– online: from 30 June 2023 to 21 July 2023
You can download here the text of the call for applications.
For any enquiries regarding the content of the call for applications or the application procedure, please write to direzione@dltm.it.
