Portugal allocates 45 million euros for CoLAB and CTI innovation centers

Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB) and Technology and Innovation Centers (CTI) can now apply for a 45 million euro funding line through the Compete 2030 program. This measure follows the expiration of previous support on July 1 and utilizes funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) to ensure continuity for projects previously financed by the Interface program.

The funding, which is 85% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is available for CoLAB and CTI located in the North, Center, and Alentejo regions. Applications are open until October 15, 2026. Notably, 11 centers located in Lisbon and the Algarve are excluded from this specific funding solution.

The objective of the support is to strengthen the economic orientation of the research and innovation network, promote the transfer and diffusion of knowledge to the economic fabric, and facilitate the pre-commercial testing and validation of research projects with economic potential. It also aims to increase the quality of information provided to the business sector regarding knowledge-based innovation and intellectual property management.