The Government opens a call for grants with 105 million to support industrial research and experimental development projects in artificial intelligence and other digital technologies

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, through the public business entity Red.es, has opened the deadline for applications for the 2021 Call for Grants for research and development projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies, and their integration into value chains.

The Call, made on the basis of the contributions received in one expression of interest Launched last July, it has a dual purpose. On the one hand, to promote scientific research, technological development and innovation in artificial intelligence; and, on the other, to promote technological development for the incorporation of artificial intelligence in the productive processes of value chains.

The budget, of 105 million euros, is one of the investments of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and is part of the agenda Spain Digital 2025 and in National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

This call will allocate 50 million euros to finance industrial research projects and 55 million euros for projects aimed at experimental development related to digital technologies such as: artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, massive data and information processing technologies, high-performance and cloud computing, natural language processing, cybersecurity, biometrics and digital identity, blockchain, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, special effects and simulation, and 3D printing and additive manufacturing. A maximum of 3 projects per applicant will be funded.

The minimum budget for eligible industrial research projects will be EUR 500,000 and the maximum of EUR 10 million, while for experimental development projects the minimum will be EUR 300,000 and the maximum of EUR 5 million.

The maximum rate of aid intensity ranges from 25% to 80% of eligible expenditure depending on the type of activity, the size of the company and whether or not the results of the projects are likely to be widely disseminated through conferences, publications, open access bases or free or open source software. In addition, beneficiaries will be able to obtain funding through the “ICO-Red.es Acelera” line.

Companies interested in applying for this aid will have one month to submit their application from the date of publication in the Official State Gazette and can do so through the form enabled in the Electronic Headquarters of Red.es http://sede.red.gob.es, where you can also consult all the information.

La National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA) is one of the measures on the agenda Spain Digital 2025, as well as the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

Among the measures included in the Strategy are those aimed at promoting scientific research, technological development and innovation by promoting business support programs for the development of solutions in AI and data, as well as for the incorporation of AI in the productive processes of value chains.

The Strategy is endowed with 330 million in 2021 and plans to invest 600 million in the period 2021-2023.