New Funding Opportunities for Research and Development in Southern Italy: Over 600 Million for Innovation and Growth

A new tool aimed at promoting research and development of innovative products, services and advanced technologies, with the aim of generating value and economic growth in the regions of Southern Italy. These are the highlights of the Addendum to the Convention of the Fund for Sustainable Growth, signed by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and the Italian Banking Association (ABI). The agreement regulates the provision of subsidized financing for the implementation of industrial research and experimental development projects, strategically relevant for the national production system.

The initiative is aimed at supporting investment plans in research and development in line with the priority areas identified by the National Smart Specialization Strategy, focusing on key technologies such as: advanced materials and nanotechnologies, photonics and micro/nano electronics, advanced manufacturing systems, life sciences, artificial intelligence, connectivity and digital security. The development of these technologies must translate into new products, processes or services, or into a significant improvement of existing ones, with the obligation to implement them in the regions of Southern Italy: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily.

The incentives are accessible to companies of any size, operating in the industrial, agro-industrial, artisanal, industrial services and research centre sectors. It is also possible to submit joint projects.

In detail, the initiative, activated within the framework of the Sustainable Growth Fund (FCS), provides for the provision of non-repayable contributions by MIMIT, for a total amount of up to approximately 145 million euros. In addition to these resources, there are subsidized loans of up to 328 million euros, granted by CDP through the Revolving Fund for Support to Businesses and Investments in Research (FRI), with a duration of up to 15 years, supported by bank loans at market conditions for a total amount exceeding 130 million euros. Overall, the initiative mobilizes over 600 million euros of resources destined for the growth of Southern Italy.