I&D Empresarial – Regime Contratual de Investimento (RCI)

This incentive supports business-led R&D projects that aim to develop new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. Projects should contribute to increasing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of Portuguese companies, particularly in line with the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RCI).

• Must include activities of industrial research and/or experimental development.

• Must result in new or significantly improved products, processes, or services with market potential.

• Should contribute to increased R&D intensity and knowledge valorization in the economy.

• Projects can be:

  • Individual (led by a single company)

  • Co-promotion (led by one or more companies with optional R&D partners)

Examples of Eligible Projects:

• An SME developing a new bio-based packaging material.

• A technology company improving AI software for industrial automation.

• A consortium building a smart agriculture system with sensor networks and predictive analytics.

• Staff directly involved in R&D activities

• Equipment and instruments used during the project

• Contracted R&D services

• Costs of materials and consumables

• Protection of intellectual property

• Travel and participation in scientific/technical events

• Indirect costs (25% flat rate over eligible direct costs)

• Total budget of the grant: €52,500,000

• Co-financing rate: Up to 80% (negociable)

• Maximum value per operation: €15,000,000

• Minimum value per operation: €6,000,000

• Companies of any size legally operating in Portugal.

• In co-promotion projects: other companies or R&D institutions may participate as partners.

• Lead beneficiaries must demonstrate:

  • Technical and financial capacity

  • Alignment with regional and national smart specialization strategies

  • No unresolved obligations with public funding programs