Funding for testing and experimentation infrastructure – ERDF Call for Proposals No. 1/2026

The call for proposals supports theestablishment, within the Trentino region, of new private testing and experimentation facilities aimed at trialling innovative solutions and applications of interdisciplinary approaches, with strong links between strategic sectors and enabling technologies.

The aid granted under the 2021–2027 ERDF Programme and pursuant to Provincial Law No. 6/2023 ‘Measures to support the Trentino economic system’ is governed by this Call for Proposals and by the general provisions applicable to all measures.  
   

What is funded

Funding is available for projects to build new private testing and experimentation infrastructure within the Trentino region.

The subsidised infrastructure must be used for testing and experimentation activities aimed at developing new or improved products, processes and services, and at testing and updating technologies to achieve progress in industrial research and experimental development.

Access must be open to multiple users and granted in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.

Applications are assessed throughan evaluation procedure.
   

Incentives

The incentive is calculated on the basis of eligible expenditure and is determined according to the size of the enterprise as follows:

• micro and small enterprises: 45%;
• medium-sized enterprises: 35 per cent;
• large enterprises: 25 per cent.

The incentive is granted as an exemption under Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014.
   

Expenditure limits

The minimum eligible expenditure must be 200,000 euros or more.

The maximum eligible expenditure is 6 million euros.

Eligible projects must:

• be carried out within an operational unit locatedwithin the Province of Trento;
• be completed within 12 months of the date on which the grantis awarded, subject to any extension for a period not exceeding 6 months;
• be commenced after the date of submission of the grantapplication.
• the proposed investment must be consistent with the objectives and technological pathways of the Autonomous Province of Trento’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (approved by Provincial Council Resolution No. 2297 of 23 December 2021)

Please note!
The operational unit in which the initiative eligible for the grant is carried out must meet specific requirements.
Please refer to point 3, paragraph 8, of the general provisions applicable to all projects for the conditions and requirements that the operational unit must meet.

Further obligations are set out in the Notice and in the general provisions applicable to all projects. These include the obligations to maintain the operational unit within the province and to be up to date with social security and welfare contributions.

Businesses of any size that meet the requirements set out in the Call for Applications (please check the list of ineligible ATECO codes) and the general provisions applicable to all schemes. 

The application must be submitted online to the administering body via the SI-FESR Trento IT platform, whichwill be accessible via the link below from 10.00 am on 15 April 2026, usingSPIDor CIE, by the legal representative or their delegate.

Please note! For technical assistance

Any technical issues relating to the use of the platform must be reported toassistenzafesrtn@performer.it

In the email, please specify:

• name;
• the company’s tax code;
• telephone number;
• application reference number (if available).

Technical support is available from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (excluding public holidays).

• incentive application (to be completed in SIFESR)
• project form (to be completed in SIFESR)
• Declaration of dimensional parameters
• business plan
• Positive assessment by a credit institution or leasing company as referred to in point 3, paragraph 7 of the general provisions common to all interventions
• power of attorney (if applicable)
• privacy notice

• Preliminary investigation: the preliminary investigation begins on the day following the date on which the application is submitted. The decision to grant the incentive is taken within 120 days from the day following the submission of the application, subject to any suspensions provided for under the provincial law on administrative procedures.
     
• Payment: The grant is paid by the investigating body following the submission of a statement of expenditure by the company applying for the grant and the receipt of a declaration certifying compliance with the obligations and conditions to which the company is subject.
     
• Reporting: An interim report may be submitted once expenditure, including indirect costs, has reached an amount equal to at least 50 per cent of the eligible amount.