Category: Funding News

The SIID Business R&D – Demonstration Projects programme supports companies that have already completed successful R&D activities and are now ready to validate and demonstrate innovative technologies, products, processes or services in real operating conditions before commercialisation. The objective is to accelerate market adoption, reduce technology risk and strengthen the commercial potential of innovation.

Programme details

• Call reference: MPr-2026-07
• Application period: 14/07/2026 to 29/12/2026 (17:00)
• Eligible beneficiaries: SMEs and Small Mid Caps (individual projects or collaborative projects with research organisations)
• Type of support: Non-refundable grant
• Maximum support intensity: Up to 80% of eligible costs (up to 85% for eligible research organisations in collaborative projects; 40% maximum for projects in the Lisbon region)
• Minimum eligible investment: €200,000
• Maximum project duration: 18 months
• Geographical scope: Mainland Portugal (COMPETE 2030 and Regional Programmes)
• Indicative budget: €12.5 million

About the incentive

This programme is designed for companies that have already developed innovative technologies and need to demonstrate their technical and commercial viability before large-scale market deployment.

Projects should focus on validating innovations in real-life environments through pilot installations, demonstrators or advanced prototypes capable of proving the technology to potential customers, partners or investors. Clinical and biomedical demonstration projects, including Phase I and II clinical trials, are also eligible.

Eligible investments

The programme supports a wide range of R&D demonstration costs, including:

• Technical personnel dedicated to the project
• Prototype, pilot and demonstration equipment
• Technical and scientific consultancy
• Software, patents and intellectual property
• Materials and specialised equipment
• Certification and validation activities
• Dissemination and demonstration events
• Indirect costs through a 7% flat rate

Who can benefit?

This incentive is particularly suitable for companies that:

• Have completed R&D activities and are approaching commercialisation
• Need to validate innovative technologies under real operating conditions
• Are preparing to scale new products or processes
• Want to strengthen the market credibility of their innovation before launch
• Plan to collaborate with universities or research organisations on demonstration activities

Projects focused solely on early-stage research are generally less suitable, as the programme targets technologies that have already achieved a significant level of technical maturity and require industrial or market validation.

Need More Information?

Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria of each instrument is essential to assess its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and financing strategy. For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form.

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Support for local micro-entrepreneurship operations through the expansion of micro and small companies and the creation of new jobs in social economy entities. This call applies to the NUTS III Cávado region and aims to promote employment, reduce labour precariousness and support the economic and social development of the territory.

Programme Details

• Call reference: NORTE2030-2026-15
• Application period: From 01/07/2026 at 18:00 to 30/09/2026 at 18:00
• Eligible beneficiaries: Micro and small companies with an establishment in NUTS III Cávado and social economy entities
• Type of support: Non-refundable grant
• Support rate:
  75% of eligible costs for projects located in low-density territories
  65% of eligible costs for projects located in other territories
• Maximum number of applications: 1 application per beneficiary
• Maximum number of supported jobs: Up to 3 new jobs
• Maximum operation duration: Up to 36 months, subject to the applicable support period for each job
• Geographical scope: NUTS III Cávado
• Funding programme: Programa Regional do Norte 2021-2027 — NORTE 2030
• Indicative total allocation: €1,112,964.29
• Allocation for companies: €445,185.72Allocation for social economy entities: €667,778.57

About the Linha Fomento IFIC Mais

The Employment Creation and Micro-entrepreneurship — Cávado Intermunicipal Community (CIM) call supports the creation of new jobs linked to the expansion of existing companies or to the reinforcement of activity by social economy entities.

For companies, the support is aimed at micro and small companies that already have activity in the region, have submitted IES 2025 and have economic activity recorded in 2025 under the CAE relevant to the project.

Freelancers and liberal professionals are not eligible, as they are not considered eligible company legal forms for the purposes of this call.

Supported jobs must be:

• Created after the application is submitted;
• Based on a permanent employment contract;
• Full-time;
• Located physically in an establishment, branch or stable delegation in NUTS III Cávado;
• Associated with net job creation by the beneficiary entity.

How it works

The support is calculated using a Simplified Cost Options methodology. The total eligible cost corresponds to the eligible direct personnel costs, calculated through a unit cost, plus a fixed rate of 40% to cover other eligible costs related to the operation.

In practical terms:

• Total eligible cost = Eligible direct personnel costs x 140%
•  The grant covers 75% or 65% of that amount, depending on the project location
• The beneficiary must secure the private contribution of 25% or 35%

An initial 10% advance payment may be requested after approval, provided that the acceptance term has been signed, the tax and social security situation is regularised, the IBAN is validated and the start of the operation is evidenced through the first eligible employment contract.

The remaining support is paid through reimbursement requests and the final balance.

Applications are assessed under the NORTE 2030 eligibility and selection criteria, including the socio-economic and environmental value of the project and its effectiveness and efficiency. Only applications with a final score of at least 3.00 points may be considered for ranking and funding, subject to the available budget.

Eligible activities

The call is limited to specific economic activities, and there must be evidence of activity and turnover in IES 2025 under the relevant CAE.

Eligible activities include:

• Extractive industries;
• Manufacturing industries, with specific exclusions;
• Accommodation and food service activities, only in low-density territories;
• Research and development — CAE 7210;
• Education;
• Human health and social work activities;
• Arts, sports and recreational activities;
• Other eligible service activities.

Main conditions to consider

To be eligible, the company or entity must meet several requirements, including:

• Having organised accounting or an adequate accounting system;
•  Demonstrating a balanced economic and financial situation;
• Meeting the minimum financial autonomy requirement of 10% for companies;
• Demonstrating capacity to finance the operation;
• Ensuring net job creation;
•  Maintaining all supported jobs until three months after the end of the operation;
• Ensuring that the jobs are performed in person and located in NUTS III Cávado.

Remote, online, hybrid or distance working arrangements are not eligible. Virtual incubation is also not eligible.

Jobs held by managers, directors, shareholders or persons who had an employment or management relationship with the company in the 12 months before the application are also excluded under the rules of the call.

Who can benefit

This incentive is particularly relevant for micro and small companies already established in the Cávado region that are planning to expand their activity through local hiring.

It may be suitable for companies that:

• Need to strengthen operational or technical teams;
• Have an active physical establishment in the region
• Operate under an eligible CAE;
• Can demonstrate net job creation;
• Have the financial capacity to cover the private contribution;
• Plan to hire eligible workers after submitting the application.

This call is less suitable for newly incorporated companies without IES 2025, freelancers, businesses without a physical establishment in the region, or business models based mainly on remote work.

Need More Information?

Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria of each instrument is essential to assess its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and financing strategy. For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form.

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Public guarantee credit line from Banco Português de Fomento that enables bank financing of the debt-capital component of investment projects linked to the IFIC, Portugal 2030 or PRR — giving companies access to medium and long-term credit, on favourable terms and backed by a public guarantee, to carry approved or submitted projects through to financial completion.

Programme Details

• BPF guarantee: Up to 80% of the outstanding loan capital
• Instrument: Public guarantee on bank credit — reimbursable financing through adhering banks, not a grant
• Global allocation: Up to 1.500.000.000€  
• Financing rate: Up to 50% of eligible investment 
• Managing entity: Banco Português de Fomento (BPF) 
• Own funds: Minimum 20% of the operation 
• Loan structure: Up to 8 years, including a 2-year grace period on capital 
• Cost: Maximum spread of 1.98%; mutual-guarantee commission capped at 1% 
• State aid regime: De minimis or General Block Exemption Regulation (RGIC / GBER) 
• Duration: Open until 31 December 2026
  
• Application channel: Through an adhering credit institution (commercial bank)

About the Linha Fomento IFIC Mais

Linha Fomento IFIC Mais is a public-guarantee credit line created under the Instrumento Financeiro para a Inovação e Competitividade (IFIC), the business-innovation incentive system within Component 5 of the PRR.
Its purpose is to finance the debt-capital portion of eligible investment, complementing the grant support that companies may secure under IFIC, Portugal 2030 or the PRR. 

The line is designed to accelerate the financial execution of investment in innovative and qualified activities, research and development, reindustrialisation, the adoption of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, defence and security, and technology-based startups.
By pairing commercial bank lending with a public guarantee from BPF, it lets companies raise the external capital they need without tying up their own resources, while keeping borrowing costs low. The financing requires only the presentation of the Termo de Aceitação. 

How it works

The Linha Fomento IFIC Mais provides medium and long-term bank credit, backed by a BPF guarantee covering up to 80% of the outstanding loan capital. The financing is up to 50% of the contracted eligible investment. 

Companies are generally required to fund at least 20% of the operation from their own resources. Loans run for up to 8 years and include a 2-year grace period on capital. Borrowing costs are contained through a maximum spread of 1.98% and a mutual-guarantee commission capped at 1%.

All operations are framed under the de minimis regime or the General Block Exemption Regulation (RGIC / GBER), and BPF may require additional guarantees as part of its analysis or during the life of the operation. 

What are the line finances

The Linha Fomento IFIC Mais can finance the debt-capital component of the projects in execution — covered on presentation of the respective Termo de Aceitação 

Who can benefit from this incentive?

The Linha Fomento IFIC Mais is aimed at companies of all sizes — SMEs, Small Mid Caps, Mid Caps and large enterprises — that hold an investment project connected to the IFIC, Portugal 2030 or the PRR. The line is particularly relevant for businesses that: 

• Are executing a project and need to finance the debt-capital component 

• Want to secure investment funding on favourable terms while preserving their own liquidity 

To qualify, companies must hold a regularised situation with the financial system, the tax authority, Social Security and other relevant public bodies, and must comply with anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing rules. Applications are submitted through an adhering credit institution (a commercial bank), which assesses and contracts the financing with the BPF guarantee attached.  

Need More Information?

Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria of each instrument is essential to assess its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and financing strategy. For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form.

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Medium- and long-term financing line, delivered by Turismo de Portugal in partnership with the banking system, to support tourism investment projects that upgrade and reposition the national tourism offer while meeting defined environmental and social sustainability requirements. 

Programme details

• Instrument: Credit line
• Total allocation: 300M€
• Beneficiary entities: Tourism enterprises of any size, nature and legal form (SMEs and large enterprises) that meet the framework conditions
• Type of support: Medium- and long-term financing. The Turismo de Portugal share is reimbursable with no interest; the bank share carries a market interest rate
• Financing limit: Up to 80% of eligible investment, with the Turismo de Portugal contribution capped at 3.000.000€ per project
  • Funding split (Turismo de Portugal / bank):
  • SMEs: 40% / 60%
  • Large enterprises: 30% / 70%
  • Low-density territories, entrepreneurship and REVIVE projects: 75% / 25%
• Performance premium: Part of the Turismo de Portugal component may convert into non-refundable support if targets are met — up to 25% (SMEs) / 5% (large enterprises), plus 10p.p. for Sustainability Leader-certified companies
• Geographic scope: Mainland and islands (national territory)
• Application period: Open on a continuous basis, until the allocation is exhausted
• Managing entity: Turismo de Portugal, with applications formalised at the adhering credit institutions

About the funding of the Tourism Offer Qualification Support Line

The Tourism Offer Qualification Support Line ( Linha de Apoio à Qualificação da Oferta) is a financing line that combines Turismo de Portugal funds with bank credit to finance tourism projects over the medium and long term. Rather than a one-off grant, it provides structured financing in which the public component is interest-free and may be partly converted into a non-refundable incentive based on results.

The line is designed to qualify and reposition the Portuguese tourism offer — supporting the requalification of existing developments and activities, the creation of new offer in low-density territories, projects under the REVIVE programme, and tourism entrepreneurship — with sustainability built in as a condition of access rather than an optional add-on.

Every project must demonstrate measurable environmental and social responsibility, and the most committed operators — those certified as Sustainability Leaders — benefit from an enhanced conversion of the financing into non-refundable support. 

How it works

The instrument combines public and private financing within a single funding operation. Total financing may cover up to 80% of eligible investment expenditure, with the Turismo de Portugal contribution limited to a maximum of 3.000.000€ per project. 3.000.000€ per project.

SMEs

• 40% Turismo de Portugal
• 60% bank financing

Large enterprises

• 30% Turismo de Portugal
• 70% bank financing

Low-density territories, entrepreneurship and REVIVE projects

• 75% Turismo de Portugal
• 25% bank financing

The Turismo de Portugal component is repayable without interest, while the bank component carries an interest rate set by the credit institution following its own risk analysis. On the public component, a performance premium may be granted: if the project meets the agreed targets, part of the financing is converted into non-refundable support — 25% for SMEs and 5% for large enterprises. An additional 10 percentage points apply, at cruising year, to companies recognised with the Sustainability Leader seal under the Empresas Turismo 360º programme. 

Eligible projects

The Tourism Offer Qualification Support Line finances tourism investment under four project typologies: 

• Requalification and repositioning of tourism developments, establishments and activities, including capacity expansion 
• Creation of new tourism developments, establishments and activities, provided cumulatively that they: 
  • are located in low-density territories (as delimited by Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 72/2016);
  • are suited to current or potential tourism demand; and 
  • add value to the region 

• Projects of any nature integrated in the REVIVE programme (recovery and tourism use of public heritage) 
• Entrepreneurship — creation and development of innovative, notably technology-based solutions, up to 500.000€ of eligible investment, promoted by SMEs to be created or created less than five years ago 

Environmental and social responsibility requirements

Sustainability is a condition of access, not an optional criterion. Every project must include the implementation of: 

• Environmental responsibility measures — energy, water and waste
• Social responsibility measures — valuing people and communities, and accessibility 

Projects must reach a minimum overall score of 45 points across the two categories of measures, and no individual category may score below 15 points. This eligibility condition must be assessed in advance, by completing the dedicated form available on the Turismo de Portugal applications portal (SGPI), before the financing request is submitted to the credit institution.

Who can benefit from this support?

The line is aimed at tourism enterprises of any size investing in the qualification of the national offer. To access the financing, companies must: 

• Be members of the Empresas Turismo 360º programme, subscribing to the respective commitment letter
• Comply with the legal conditions to carry out the activity, including being duly licensed and registered in the National Tourism Register (RNT) where legally required 
• Hold a balanced economic and financial position 
• Have a regularised situation with the Tax Authority, Social Security and Turismo de Portugal 
• Have no overdue salaries, save for situations under judicial dispute 
• Maintain a workforce adequate to the activity carried out 

Applications run continuously until the allocation is exhausted. The financing request is made by the company at one of the adhering credit institutions — including Abanca, Bankinter, BPI, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Crédito Agrícola, EuroBic, Millennium bcp, Montepio, Novo Banco and Santander — after a favourable assessment of the project’s environmental and social responsibility measures. For investments in the Algarve, the conditions defined for low-density territories apply under the +Algarve protocol, whose application deadline runs until 31 December 2026. 

Need More Information?

Understanding the rules and access conditions of each instrument is essential to assess its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and financing strategy. For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form. 

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