In the evolving landscape of innovation and digitalisation, one challenge is always open: how to bridge the gap between promising ideas and real market impact, especially in less-developed or transition areas. The European Commission’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I³) Instrument, launched under the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), represents a bold response to this challenge as it offering support and strategic opportunities across regions.
The I³ Instrument is designed to help regions with complementary strengths come together to commercialise innovative solutions. With a total budget of up to €570 million for the 2021–2027 period, and over €170 million available through the current 2025 calls, the programme aims to foster stronger ties between innovation ecosystems in different parts of Europe. At the heart of I³ is the concept of interregional collaboration based on so-called Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (R3S) that identify priority areas for innovation. Rather than supporting isolated projects, the I³ Instrument promotes cooperation between at least three regions, often with differing levels of development, to jointly invest in innovation value chains. This ensures not only technological advancement, but also economic cohesion across the continent.
The programme operates through three main pillars. The first supports investments in interregional innovation projects that align with shared regional specialisations, such as digital health or smart manufacturing. The second focuses more specifically on helping less-developed regions integrate into EU-wide value chains by partnering with more advanced innovation actors. The third strand, newly expanded in 2025, supports capacity-building efforts—like policy labs, matchmaking events, and technical assistance—to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems over the long term.
Projects funded under the I³ are expected to involve mature technologies—those already validated in relevant environments and ready for market scale-up. In technical terms, these are technologies that have reached a at least a TRL 6, thus credible candidates for commercial success.
In 2025, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), which manages the instrument, also launched an I³ Support Facility, offering tailored services to project applicants and participants, including access to expert advice, funding matchmaking.
While the application process requires building a consortium across multiple regions and countries, the potential benefits are considerable. Grant support of up to €10 million per project, co-financed by the EU at up to 100%, combIn the evolving landscape of innovation and digitalisation, one challenge is always open: how to bridge the gap between promising ideas and real market impact, especially in less-developed or transition areas. The European Commission’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I³) Instrument, launched under the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), represents a bold response to this challenge as it offering support and strategic opportunities across regions.
The I³ Instrument is designed to help regions with complementary strengths come together to commercialise innovative solutions. With a total budget of up to €570 million for the 2021–2027 period, and over €170 million available through the current 2025 calls, the programme aims to foster stronger ties between innovation ecosystems in different parts of Europe. At the heart of I³ is the concept of interregional collaboration based on so-called Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (R3S) that identify priority areas for innovation. Rather than supporting isolated projects, the I³ Instrument promotes cooperation between at least three regions, often with differing levels of development, to jointly invest in innovation value chains. This ensures not only technological advancement, but also economic cohesion across the continent.
The programme operates through three main pillars. The first supports investments in interregional innovation projects that align with shared regional specialisations, such as digital health or smart manufacturing. The second focuses more specifically on helping less-developed regions integrate into EU-wide value chains by partnering with more advanced innovation actors. The third strand, newly expanded in 2025, supports capacity-building efforts—like policy labs, matchmaking events, and technical assistance—to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems over the long term.
Projects funded under the I³ are expected to involve mature technologies—those already validated in relevant environments and ready for market scale-up. In technical terms, these are technologies that have reached a at least a TRL 6, thus credible candidates for commercial success.
In 2025, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), which manages the instrument, also launched an I³ Support Facility, offering tailored services to project applicants and participants, including access to expert advice, funding matchmaking.
While the application process requires building a consortium across multiple regions and countries, the potential benefits are considerable. Grant support of up to €10 million per project, co-financed by the EU at up to 100%, combined with advisory services and ecosystem support, makes the I³ Instrument one of the most comprehensive and practical tools available to innovation professionals today.
Now is the time to think beyond borders, align with regional strategies, and take part in this new wave of interregional collaboration.ined with advisory services and ecosystem support, makes the I³ Instrument one of the most comprehensive and practical tools available to innovation professionals today.
Now is the time to think beyond borders, align with regional strategies, and take part in this new wave of interregional collaboration.