The State Research Agency announces the conditions for the new 2021 Public-Private Collaboration Call (formerly Collaboration Challenges)

At IMPULSO, we are pleased to inform you that the State Research Agency of the Ministry of Science and Innovation is about to publish the 2021 Public-Private Collaboration Call (formerly Collaboration Challenges). It will have a total budget of €375M (2022-2024), with the objective of financing experimental development projects in collaboration between companies and research organizations, centered around 6 thematic priorities:

1. 1. Health.
   2. Culture, creativity, and inclusive society.
   3. Civil security for society.
   4. Digital world, industry, space, and defense.
   5. Climate, energy, and mobility.
   6. Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, and environment.

   Below, we summarize the main characteristics of these grants (subject to modifications until their official publication):

    

   BENEFICIARIES

   • Public research organizations.
   • Public universities.
   • Health research institutes.
   • Other public R&D centers.
   • State-level technological centers and technological innovation support centers.
   • Private universities with demonstrated R&D capacity and activity.
   • Other private R&D centers.
   • Companies.
   • Sectoral business associations.

   PROJECT TYPES

   Collaborative experimental development projects between companies and research organizations led by a company, that align with one of the 6 thematic priorities.

    

   PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

   • Minimum budget of €400,000 (of which at least 51% must correspond to the business sector). Minimum participation of the R&D&I agent of 10%.
   • Duration: 36 months (starting in 2022). Although extensions are considered, the completion date for all projects must, in any case, be before December 31, 2025.
   • As a new feature, a single execution period will be considered, without restrictions by annual installments.
   • Must fulfill the incentive effect: The project start date must be after the submission of the application.
   • Projects may not involve activities that directly or indirectly cause significant harm to the environment—the “DNSH principle”—according to the environmental objectives set out in the Taxonomy Regulation (Art. 9 and 17).

    

   ELIGIBLE COSTS

   • Personnel costs.
   • Instrumental and material costs (depreciation).
   • Acquisition of expendable materials and consumables.
   • Subcontracting.
   • Indirect costs.
   • Other direct costs: patents, consultancy (leader only), travel, technical assistance.
   • Accounts auditing.

    

   As a new feature, flexibility mechanisms for the justification of the aid granted through this Call are introduced.

    

   TYPE AND INTENSITY OF SUPPORT

   Non-repayable grants or loans depending on the type of participant:

   • Public R&D organizations: Grant. Up to 100% of marginal costs.
   • Private R&D organizations: Grant. Up to 100% of total costs.
   • Companies: Loan. Up to 95% of total costs, depending on the type of company. 10-year repayment period (3-year grace period).
   • Public companies: Grant. Maximum aid intensity of 40%.

   As a new feature, the hiring of PhD holders by companies will be subsidized, provided it is on a permanent basis, dedicated to the execution of the project, and with a minimum gross annual salary of €25,350.

   Not co-financed by ERDF funds.

   SUBMISSION DEADLINE

   It is expected to open at the end of November, with an application submission period of 2 or 3 weeks, pending confirmation when the call is published.

05/11/2021