Within the framework of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) instrument, the European Commission has published the following call: I3-2026-CAP2b - Capacity Building Strand 2b.

The call will be launched in accordance with the 2025-2027 work programme and will be managed by the European Innovation and SME Council Executive Agency (EISMEA).

The main objective of the call is to improve the capacity of the EU's 'less developed regions' to strengthen innovation ecosystems and value chains through coordinated and interconnected investments between regions, with a focus on SMEs and in preparation for future interregional investments. According to the European Commission's definition, as far as Italy is concerned, the 'less developed regions' are Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia

The available budget is EUR 9 800 000. The maximum grant amount per project must be between EUR 500,000 and EUR 1,500,000.

As for the deadline, the date is 19 March 2026.