Up to €10 Million for Your Innovation: The I3 Instrument 2026 Is Now Open
The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is a powerful tool to support interregional innovation projects in their commercialisation and scale-up phases. Through financial and advisory support, the I3 Instrument helps innovation actors overcome barriers and reach investment readiness, contributing to the development of sustainable EU value chains.
The 2026 calls fall under the Work Programme 2025–2027:
| Total programme budget | €176 million |
| Funding per project | €2 million – €10 million |
| EU contribution rate | 70% of eligible costs |
| Project duration | 18 – 36 months |
| Minimum TRL | TRL 6 (pilot / demonstration stage) |
| Minimum partners | 3 – 5 organisations from different EU Member States |
TWO FUNDING STRANDS
- Strand 1 (I3-2026-INV1): This call targets consortia from regions with shared smart specialisation areas. It aims to create or strengthen interregional and cross-border value chains by connecting regional innovation ecosystems and increasing EU value chain competitiveness. A minimum of 5 partners from different Member States is required.
- Strand 2a (I3-2026-INV2a): Focuses on supporting consortia from less developed regions to integrate into EU value chains. The call provides funding to help regions scale up mature innovations, create new value chains, and foster collaboration between SMEs from less and more developed regions. A minimum of 3 partners from different Member States is required.
Τhe submitted applications under this call for proposals must address one of the following strategic areas:
Digital Transition | Green Transition| Smart Manufacturing
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
The I3 Instrument’s work programme is aligned with Smart Specialisation and interregional collaboration. It fosters stronger connections between regional ecosystems and helps accelerate the market uptake of research results, which is vital for Europe’s innovation landscape.
Whether you are aiming to:
- Create new interregional value chains
- Strengthen regional innovation ecosystems
- Scale up mature innovations
The I3 Instrument provides the necessary tools to succeed. I3 Instrument business investment cases begin at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, aiming to support demonstration activities and speed up market adoption and commercialisation. The development of these cases is driven by regional innovation ecosystems, with companies taking a leading role.
Deadline for applications: 12 November 2026, 17:00 (CET)
Investment Calls (Strand 1 & 2a) open: 13 May 2026 – close: 12 November 2026
How We Can Support Your Innovation
Building a strong I3 application requires more than filling in a form. At RAINNO we specialize in securing EU funds through expertly crafted proposals. Our team will guide you through the complex application process and ensure your project is aligned with the I3 objectives to maximize your chances of success.