GRANTS FOR RD AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION PROJECTS FOR SMEs IN CATALONIA

Currently, SMEs in Catalonia planning to develop projects in both RD and Technological Innovation have access to the following calls:

• Grants for individual Business RD projects, with a budget allocation of €10 million.
• Grants for SMEs’ technological innovation projects, with a budget allocation of €5 million.

Both grant lines are managed through the Board of Directors of the Agency for Business Competitiveness (ACCIÓ) and have the general objective of encouraging and promoting the implementation of individual business RD projects aimed at advancing technology, and technological innovation projects focused on the technological, digital, or green transformation of Catalan companies, in accordance with the provisions of the Catalonia ERDF Programme 2021-2027.

Here, in advance, are the main features of these programmes:

BENEFICIARIES:

Small and medium-sized enterprises with an operational establishment in Catalonia and, at the time of submitting the grant application, at least two years of activity, counted from the company’s incorporation date.

TYPES OF PROJECTS:

• Individual business RD projects framed within the action type for driving and promoting RD activities deployed under RIS3CAT2030.
• Technological innovation projects of an applied nature, close to market, with medium/low technological risk, that promote the technological, digital, or green transformation of companies, improving their competitiveness through the incorporation of advanced technologies.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

• The activities covered by the grant must be carried out in Catalonia.
• Competitive selection.
• Incentive effect.
• Minimum budget:
  • RD project: €200,000.00.
  • Innovation project: €100,000.00.
• Implementation period:
  • RD project: maximum 30 months from submission of the application. No extension is possible.
  • Innovation project: maximum 21 months from submission of the application. No extension is possible.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• RD project:

• Research, technical and support staff (excluding training contracts, partners, directors, or managers). Hourly cost limited according to professional category.
• Other project-related expenses: 40% of direct staff costs. This includes external collaborations, equipment, and instruments.

• Innovation project:

• External collaborations and subcontracting (maximum 70%): specialised engineering or design services; laboratory testing and trial services.
• Purchase of equipment: new fixed assets.
• Other expenses for the purchase of software or licences required to carry out the project.
• Staff: 20% of the project’s direct costs (the previous three).

AID:

Non-repayable grants between 35% and 40%, depending on the size of the company and the type of project.

• RD projects: up to 40% of the accepted eligible expenditure for small companies, and 35% for medium-sized companies.
• Technological Innovation projects: up to 40% of the accepted eligible expenditure. Subject to de minimis.

PAYMENTS AND GUARANTEES:

The grant will be paid by means of a 40% advance of the aid once the award decision has been received, without the need to provide guarantees.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

• RD projects: until 31/07/2025 at 14:00.
• Technological Innovation projects: until 22/07/2025 at 14:00.

If your company has a project that fits this call and you are interested in applying for funding, at IMPULSO we offer a comprehensive support service throughout the entire life of the application, from the preparation of the proposal to the final justification and collection. Thanks to our experience, you will be able to take advantage of this great funding opportunity.

23/05/2025