[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

October 23, 2025 (opens) | March 19, 2026 (deadline)

€9,800,000 total budget for the call; typical project size and duration not specified.

Builds innovation capacity in less developed EU regions by supporting ecosystem development, interregional cooperation, and preparation for future innovation investments.

--- ## Description This call under the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3), Strand 2b, aims to strengthen the innovation capacity of less developed, outermost, and transition regions across the EU. The grant supports projects that build and connect regional innovation ecosystems, develop tailored policy measures, foster cooperation with industry and other key partners, and prepare business cases for future interregional investments. The initiative is designed to address institutional, administrative, and ecosystem gaps, enabling regions to participate more effectively in EU value chains and innovation activities. Projects are expected to deliver practical outputs such as policy tools, cooperation agreements, innovation roadmaps, and business cases, as well as long-term impacts like increased innovation capacity, improved business climate, and stronger collaboration among regional actors. The program encourages the active involvement of public authorities, innovation intermediaries, companies (especially SMEs), academia, and civil society, fostering quadruple-helix cooperation. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: October 23, 2025 - Application deadline: March 19, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total call budget: €9,800,000 - The number of grants and typical project size/duration are not specified; see the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_i3-2026-cap2b_en.pdf) for details. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants: Entities from EU Member States and associated countries, with a focus on less developed, outermost, and transition regions. - Proposals must involve quadruple-helix stakeholders (public authorities, industry, academia, civil society). - Specific eligibility conditions are detailed in section 6 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_i3-2026-cap2b_en.pdf). --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/I3-2026-CAP2B?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Download and complete the [standard application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/temp-form/af/af_i3_en.pdf) and [detailed budget table](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_i3-fstp-100-percent_en.xlsm). - Follow the guidelines in the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). - Proposals must adhere to the page limits and layout described in the call documentation. --- ## Additional Information - Projects should prioritize the involvement of less developed and outermost regions, but participation from more developed regions is encouraged to support capacity-building. - Outputs should be replicable and contribute to long-term institutional learning, policy development, and updates to Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3). - The call supports co-creation and equal footing among all participating regions. --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/I3-2026-CAP2B?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/wp-call/2026/call-fiche_i3-2026-cap2b_en.pdf) - [Application Form Template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/temp-form/af/af_i3_en.pdf) - [Detailed Budget Table](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_i3-fstp-100-percent_en.xlsm) - [I3 MGA - Model Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/i3/agr-contr/mga_i3_en.pdf) - [I3 Instrument Work Programme](https://eismea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/interregional-innovation-investments-i3-instrument_en#policy-background-documents) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Funding & Tenders FAQ | [FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) |

CAPACITY BUILDING CAP2B

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