I3 Strand 1 — Interregional Innovation Investments

Who can apply

• Legal entities, public or private.
• Established in EU-27 (including Overseas Countries and Territories), EEA countries, or countries associated to the I3 Instrument.
• The coordinator must be established in an eligible country.

Consortium rule for this topic

• Minimum 5 independent entities established in 5 different regions of 3 eligible countries.
• The consortium must have at least 2 entities established in a less-developed region.
• The coordinator must be one of: a public body, a not-for-profit organisation, or an entity entrusted by national or regional governments to develop or implement innovation and investment actions for SMEs (cluster organisations, public-private partnerships, development agencies, innovation agencies).

Restrictions and special cases

• Natural persons are not eligible, except sole traders.
• International organisations are eligible.
• EU bodies cannot participate, except the Joint Research Centre.
• Entities from non-EU countries may participate as associated partners, subcontractors, or third parties giving in-kind contributions.
• Exceptional funding for entities from non-EU countries is allowed if the granting authority considers their participation essential.
• Funding rate: up to 70% of eligible costs; up to 100% for financial support to third parties.
• Maximum financial support per third party: €100,000 unless a higher amount is justified.

EU restrictive measures (TEU Article 29 / TFEU Article 215) and EU conditionality measures (Regulation 2020/2092) apply.

Questions and answers

The Commission publishes an official Q&A document on the topic page of the Funding & Tenders Portal. It is updated regularly until the call deadline of 12 November 2026 and is the authoritative reading of the eligibility rules.