The Regional Ministry of Economy, Finance and Enterprise of the Region of Murcia has published the order regulating the bases for the granting of public aid to finance public-private cooperation projects. The aim of this aid is to promote technology transfer and innovation within the framework of the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart and Sustainable Specialisation of the Region of Murcia for the period 2021-2027. Below is a summary of the most important points.
Aid Intensity and Maximum Grant Amount
The maximum grant amount can be up to 250,000 euros per beneficiary, per project and per call. The maximum grant intensities vary according to the size of the company:
- Small businesses: Up to 45% of the eligible costs.
- Medium-sized enterprises: Up to 35% of the eligible costs.
- Large companies: Up to 25% of the eligible costs.
These percentages may be increased by 15 points if the project involves effective collaboration with research and knowledge dissemination organisations, provided that these organisations bear at least 10% of the eligible costs and have the right to publish the results of their research.
Types of Eligible Projects
Projects must be experimental development projects, defined as the acquisition, combination, configuration and use of existing knowledge and skills to develop new or improved products, processes or services. This includes prototyping, demonstrations and pilot projects in real environments.
Public-Private Partnership Project Requirements
- Nature and Types: Projects submitted by groupings of innovative entities, with at least one public and one private entity. No entity may execute more than 70% of the eligible costs of the project.
- Areas of Focus: They must be aligned with the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart and Sustainable Specialisation of the Region of Murcia (RIS4 Region of Murcia) for the period 2021-2027, and included in the Region of Murcia ERDF Programme 2021-2027.
- Effective Collaboration: The cooperation must be formally agreed and reflected in the Cooperation Agreement and in the Memorandum submitted with the application.
Eligible Expenditure
Grants will cover costs directly related to the activity for which the grant is awarded. Eligible costs include:
- Real gross wage costs of the personnel carrying out tasks in the project.
- Direct project implementation costsprovided that they are justified and comply with the regulations on late payment in commercial transactions.
Justification and Verification
The beneficiary must justify and accredit the implementation of the subsidised action within a maximum period of three months from the end of the project. The justification must comply with Community and national regulations concerning the management and implementation of the ERDF.
Incompatibilities
Grants may not be cumulated with other aid exceeding the maximum aid intensities laid down for the same eligible costs. Furthermore, they may not be combined with de minimis aid if this would result in the maximum allowable aid intensity being exceeded.
This order provides a detailed and structured framework for companies in the construction sector in Murcia to access aid for R&D projects, encouraging innovation and public-private cooperation, which is essential for the development and improvement of competitiveness in the sector.
