What is it? The ministerial decree of 24 July 2015 establishes the conditions for financing from the resources of the revolving fund for business support and investments in research (FRI), established at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, of the measures of the Fund for growth sustainable development in favor of major research and development projects, structured in particular as follows: – “Digital Agenda” – intervention in favor of major research and development projects in the sector of electronic information and communication technologies and for the implementation of the 'Italian digital agenda referred to in the decree of the Minister of Economic Development 15 October 2014, - "Sustainable industry" - intervention in favor of large research and development projects in the context of specific themes relevant to "sustainable industry", of which to the decree of the Minister of Economic Development adopted on the same date of 15 October 2014. Following the positive feedback from the business world, the interventions in support of the major research and development projects "Digital Agenda" and "Sustainable Industry" drawing on the resources of FRI were refinanced a first time with the ministerial decree of 18 October 2017, and a second time with the ministerial decree of 2 August 2019.
Who is it aimed at?
Eligible entities are companies of any size, established in corporate form and carrying out industrial activities of production of goods and services, agro-industrial, artisan, transport, business services carrying out the aforementioned activities, as well as research centres. with legal personality. Innovative startup companies that carry out the aforementioned activities and spin-offs of research organizations are also eligible. Eligible entities can also present projects jointly, up to a maximum number of five participants for each project. The benefits can be granted in the form of a contribution to expenditure for a measure equal to 20% of the eligible project costs, and in the form of subsidized financing for a measure between 50 and 70% of the eligible costs for micro, small and and medium-sized companies, and between 50 and 60% of the eligible costs for large-sized companies. The subsidized loan must be associated with a bank loan in accordance with the provisions of the decree of 24 July 2015 based on the rules that regulate the functioning of the FRI.
What does it predict
The tenders for major research and development projects using FRI resources provide for a negotiated evaluation procedure, as established by the ministerial decree of 24 July 2015. With the ministerial decree of 9 June 2016 and with the ministerial decree of 18 October 2017, some changes were made to the aforementioned discipline. With ministerial decree of 2 August 2019, the interventions were refinanced, for an amount equal to: – 247 million euros, from the resources of the FRI, for the granting of subsidized loans, – 82 million euros, from the FCS resources, for the granting of spending contributions. A share of 20% of these resources is allocated to research and development projects aimed at the reconversion of production processes within the circular economy.
