VALENCIA, 28 Dec. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (Ivace), attached to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, calls for aid worth 5.5 million euros to promote investment by small and medium-sized companies in business R&D projects.
With this aid, framed within the Business R&D Plan, Ivace seeks to finance those initiatives, developed either individually by SMEs or in cooperation with large companies, that represent a significant advance in knowledge and that allow solutions to scientific uncertainties. or technological.
For the Minister of Innovation and president of Ivace, Nuria Montes, “investing in R&D is investing in progress, efficiency and productivity in the long term, while at the same time it means for companies to generate a competitive advantage and stay at the forefront of technological innovations in the sector”.
Through these grants for R&D projects, Ivace finances companies up to 60% of the expenses derived from the research staff dedicated to the project, the contracting of R&D services, assistance and consulting, the purchase of materials and the amortization of equipment and instruments used exclusively for the development of the project, as well as the acquisition of necessary licenses and patents.
Nuria Montes has referred, in a statement, to the difficulties that many companies may face in financing and carrying out their projects, “which may limit their ability to adopt new technologies and processes.”
“To mitigate these difficulties and facilitate the development of the projects – highlighted Nuria Montes – Ivace may advance up to 75% of the subsidy granted with the presentation of a guarantee by the company of 25% of the amount to be advanced.”
Small and medium-sized companies, cooperatives and young innovative companies (less than five years old) can benefit from Ivace R&D aid. For the latter, a minimum number of own personnel is not established to be beneficiaries.
Subsidized projects can be carried out by SMEs either individually or in cooperation with large companies. In the case of cooperative projects, the consortia must be made up of a minimum of two independent companies, at least one of which must be an SME.
As a novelty in this call, if the consortium is formed by three or more companies, the requirement for awarding size and independence will not need to be met.
Another requirement of this call is compliance with the European principle of “not causing significant harm to the environment (DNSH)” by all projects that will be supported.
The application of this principle demonstrates a firm commitment to sustainable development, ensuring that initiatives not only drive economic growth, but do so in a sustainable manner, avoiding irreparable negative impacts.
The deadline for submitting applications opens on January 9, 2024 and will end on February 22.