I3 Instrument — Interregional Innovation Investments 2026

The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument is an ERDF-funded programme (Article 13 of the ERDF Regulation) implemented under Cohesion Policy by EISMEA. It supports interregional cooperation in innovation, using Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) as a guiding framework to connect regional strengths, align complementary capabilities and strengthen EU value chains. I3 funds the scaling-up and commercialisation of interregional innovation projects — moving them beyond demonstration into market deployment. The 2026 call has a total budget of €58.4 million across two strands: Strand 1 (INV1, €28.2 million) increases the competitiveness and resilience of EU value chains through interregional cooperation across shared smart specialisation areas; Strand 2a (INV2a, €30.2 million) integrates innovation actors from less-developed and transition regions into EU value chains and creates local opportunities for innovation and smart economic transformation. Both strands open 13 May 2026 and close 12 November 2026. Funding rate is 70% of eligible costs (up to 100% for cascade funding to third parties). Three thematic priorities apply across both strands: digital transition, green transition, smart manufacturing. Consortium rules differ between the strands and are described on each topic record.