The Vanguard Initiative (VI) has officially launched the VInnovate Call 2025, opening on 2nd May 2025 at 5.00pm CET. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation stakeholders across 12 European regions to secure funding for interregional, industry-led innovation projects. Building upon the success of the 2024 pilot, VInnovate 2025 aims to accelerate the development of advanced technologies and strengthen European value chains through collaborative efforts.

What Is VInnovate?

VInnovate is the VI’s dedicated interregional funding mechanism designed to support post-prototype innovation projects (Technology Readiness Levels 6–8). It facilitates cross-border collaboration among SMEs, research institutions, and industry partners, focusing on projects that align with the VI’s strategic priorities:

  • Advancing a smarter industry through digital integration.
  • Promoting a more sustainable industry targeting climate neutrality.
  • Fostering a more autonomous industry to reduce dependency on external regions for deep-tech innovations and strategic services.

Eligible projects must be thematically linked to at least one of the eight VI pilot areas:

  1. Bio-Economy
  2. Efficient and Sustainable Manufacturing
  3. High Performance Production through 3D-Printing
  4. Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Related Applications in Harsh Environments
  5. New Nano-Enabled Products
  6. Artificial Intelligence
  7. Smart Health/Personalised Medicine
  8. Hydrogen (H2)

Who Can Apply?

The VInnovate Call 2025 is open to consortia that meet the following criteria:

  • Consortium Composition: At least two organisations from two different participating regions and countries (see below).
  • SME Involvement: Each consortium must include at least one SME collaborating with another entity, such as another SME, a large company, a research/technology centre, or a university.
  • Geographical Eligibility: All participating organizations must be located in one of the 12 VInnovate 2025 regions:
    • Basque Country
    • East Netherlands (Gelderland and Overijssel)
    • Emilia-Romagna
    • Flanders
    • Galicia
    • Lombardy
    • Lower Austria
    • Lower Saxony
    • Norte
    • North-East Romania
    • Noord-Brabant
    • Wales

Each applicant must comply with the requirements of their respective regional or national funding instruments, in addition to the overarching VInnovate criteria.

Funding Details

  • Project Budget: Minimum total project costs of €100,000.
  • Project Duration: Up to 36 months.
  • Funding Type: Grants, with funding rates and eligible costs determined at the regional level.
  • Eligible Activities: Projects should focus on activities at TRL 6-8, encompassing demonstration, piloting, and market replication phases.

Application Timeline

  • Call Opening: 2nd May 2025 at 5.00pm (CET).
  • Project Fit Form Submission Deadline: 15th September 2025 at 11.59pm (CET).
  • Online Info Session: 6th May 2025 from 10.00am to 11.30am (CET).
  • Project Generation Webinars:
    • Webinar 1: 22nd May 2025 from 11.00am to 12.30pm (CET).
    • Webinar 2: 17th June 2025 from 11.00am to 12.30pm (CET).

Interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the info session and webinars to gain insights into the application process and to network with potential partners.

How to Apply

  1. Project Fit Form: Submit a preliminary Project Fit Form by 15th September 2025, outlining the project’s objectives, consortium composition, and alignment with VI pilot areas.
  2. Full Proposal: Upon positive assessment of the Project Fit Form, each consortium member must submit a detailed proposal to their respective regional funding agency, adhering to specific regional requirements.
  3. Evaluation and Selection: Projects will be evaluated based on their innovation potential, alignment with VI priorities, and the strength of interregional collaboration.

Strategic Importance

The VInnovate Call 2025 represents a significant step in fostering interregional innovation within Europe. By supporting projects that bridge regional strengths and expertise, VInnovate aims to:

  • Accelerate the commercialisation of advanced technologies.
  • Enhance the competitiveness of European industries.
  • Promote sustainable and autonomous industrial development.
  • Strengthen interregional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the European Union to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across its member states.

Additional Resources

For a FREE consultation to discuss your project in more detail, contact RedKnight today.

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