Sistema de Incentivos à Investigação, Desenvolvimento e Inovação Empresarial – I&D&I Empresarial

This opportunity aims to foster collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and, when relevant, large companies or research and innovation entities. The focus is on activities that span from research to production or market introduction of new or improved products, processes, or services. Emphasis is placed on technological intensity and knowledge-intensive services that can be traded globally.

• Involve Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation activities, focusing on industrial research or experimental development

• Aim to create or significantly improve products, processes, or services

• Align with national or regional smart specialization strategies (e.g., RIS3)

• Demonstrate novelty or substantial improvements over existing solutions

• Be based on clear objectives, robust methodology, and measurable outcomes

• Have a maximum duration of 36 months, unless a longer period is justified and approved

 Examples of Eligible Projects to Be Developed

• Developing a smart wearable medical device with real-time diagnostics

• Creating a biodegradable packaging solution for the agri-food sector

• Integrating AI algorithms to improve predictive maintenance in manufacturing

• Designing a high-efficiency solar panel system using new composite materials

• Personnel Costs – Salaries of researchers, technical staff, and support personnel directly involved in the project.

• Acquisition of R&D Equipment – Purchase of instruments, machines, and technological tools required for research and testing.

• Subcontracting and External Services – Scientific or technical services outsourced to third parties, including consulting, testing, or certification.

• Knowledge and Technology Acquisition – Licensing or purchase of patents, know-how, or other intellectual property relevant to the project.

• Materials and Consumables – Supplies and raw materials needed for prototyping, testing, or experimental development.

• Travel and Dissemination – Participation in events, conferences, or dissemination actions directly related to the project.

• Audit and Financial Certification Costs – Mandatory services from certified accountants or auditors related to funding requests.

Total budget for the grant: 149,000,000€

Co-financing percentage: up to 80%

Minimum funding per company: 5,000,000€

• Be a company (SME, Small Mid Cap, or large enterprise) or a non-business entity from the R&I system (ENESII).

• Be legally established in Portugal and have organized accounting.

• Have a balanced financial situation and no debts to Tax or Social Security authorities.

• Be able to demonstrate financial capacity to co-finance the operation..

• Be aligned with RIS3 strategic priorities (e.g. green, digital, or smart specialization domains).

• Include I&D and Innovation activities focused on priority domains of the national or regional strategies.