Can I apply to I3 Instrument?

By country

• Can a company from an EU country apply?Yes
• Can a company from Poland (a Widening country) apply?Yes
• Can a company from the UK apply?NoOrganisations in the United Kingdom can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Switzerland apply?NoOrganisations in Switzerland can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Norway apply?NoOrganisations in Norway can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Israel apply?NoOrganisations in Israel can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Ukraine apply?NoOrganisations in Ukraine can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Türkiye apply?NoOrganisations in Türkiye can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Canada apply?NoOrganisations in Canada can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from Japan apply?NoOrganisations in Japan can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from South Korea apply?NoOrganisations in South Korea can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from the United States apply?NoOrganisations in the United States can't apply: it is open to the EU.
• Can a company from India apply?NoOrganisations in India can't apply: it is open to the EU.

By organisation

• Can a founder without a company yet apply?NoNot open to a founder without a company yet. The coordinator must be a public body, a non-profit, or an entity entrusted by government to support SME innovation (cluster organisations, development or innovation agencies).
• Can a startup apply?Yes, ifA startup can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can an established SME apply?Yes, ifAn SME can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a mid-cap company apply?Yes, ifA mid-cap can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a large company apply?Yes, ifA large company can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a university apply?Yes, ifA university can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a research organisation apply?Yes, ifA research organisation can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a company apply on its own, without partners?NoYou need a consortium of at least 3 organisations from 2 different countries.

By stage

• Can I apply with an idea or early research?NoToo early: this starts at TRL 6 (a prototype tested outside the lab).
• Can I apply with a proof of concept?NoToo early: this starts at TRL 6 (a prototype tested outside the lab).
• Can I apply with a prototype?Yes
• Can I apply with a pilot with real users?Yes
• Can I apply with a product on the market?Yes

The rules in full

Where you must be based

the EU

Funded applicants are entities in EU Member States (including overseas territories). Non-EU entities are funded only if judged essential.

Who can apply

a public body or a non-profit

The coordinator must be a public body, a non-profit, or an entity entrusted by government to support SME innovation (cluster organisations, development or innovation agencies). Companies join as partners.

Who can join as a partner

a startup, an SME, a mid-cap, a large company, a university, a research organisation, a public body or a non-profit

Non-EU entities can join as associated partners or subcontractors without funding.

Alone or with partners

Consortium of at least 3 organisations from 2 countries

Strand 2a: at least 3 independent entities in 3 regions of 2 EU countries, at least 1 in a more developed region. Strand 1: at least 5 entities in 5 regions of 3 countries, at least 2 in less developed regions.

Stage

TRL 6 to 9

Business investment cases must start at TRL 6 or higher: demonstration, scale-up and market uptake.

What you get

grants, up to €10M

Normally EUR 2M to 10M per consortium, not per company. SMEs can also get up to EUR 100,000 each through cascade calls run by funded projects.

Funding rate

70% of ordinary eligible costs; 100% of the money passed on to SMEs as financial support.