A total of €505 million will soon be available to support industrial research and experimental development projects in the less-developed regions of Southern Italy: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Apulia, Sardinia and Sicily.

The call is open to industrial, craft and agri-industrial companies, as well as research organisations, which must submit projects in collaboration involving at least one SME.

Eligible projects include industrial research and experimental development activities aimed at creating new products, processes or services, or significantly improving existing ones, in the field of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), including artificial intelligence, life sciences, advanced materials, photonics and digital security.

Projects must involve investments ranging from €1 million to €5 million.

Funding will be provided through a combination of soft loans covering 40% of eligible costs and non-repayable grants of up to 40% for small enterprises, 35% for medium-sized enterprises, and 30% for large enterprises.

The call for proposals is expected to open shortly.