PIA (Integrated Incentives Packages)

(New public notice - Regional Programme ERDF - ESF+ 2021-2027)

The new Integrated Incentives Packages (PIA) scheme, following on from the previous edition, has expanded both the public of potential beneficiaries and the types of initiatives eligible for funding.

The PIA scheme offers funding support to SMEs and innovative start-ups, individually or in association with one or more local SMEs and innovative start-ups, for eligible investments in industrial research and experimental development programmes, which may be integrated with capital investments, technological innovation initiatives, training initiatives and environmental protection measures, as well as investments in specialised business consultancy services and international business promotion programmes, including the participation in trade fairs. In certain circumstances, retail businesses may also qualify for funding under the PIA scheme.

The PIA scheme provides subsidy grants for investment programmes with overall minimum eligible expenditure of 1 million euros. Investment limits for capital investments, in terms of maximum eligible costs, are fixed at 50 million euros for medium-sized enterprises, 40 million euros for small enterprises and 20 million euros for innovative start-ups and enterprises. Overall eligible investments in experimental R&D should not exceed 40 million euros, whilst the limits on investments in innovation by SMEs is fixed at 3 million euros and in business process and organizational innovation at 5 million euros. Training initiatives are eligible for costs of up to 2 million euros, whereas the costs related to implementing environmental protection measures should not exceed 10 million euros.

The PIA funding scheme is operative as of 21^st December 2023 and has no fixed deadlines for proposals, subject to the availability of funds.

Applications must be submitted online, following the procedure in the dedicated section “PIA”, by registering and filling out the necessary online forms, on the platform PugliaSemplice: pugliasemplice.sistema.puglia.it

• Information Sheet PIA 2021-2027
• Updated - Resolution no. 515 of 25 July 2024
• Public Notice PIA (updated version)
• Attachments and further information at this link: https://www.regione.puglia.it/web/competitivita-e-innovazione/-/avviso-pubblico-pia-programmi-integrati-di-agevolazione
• See here the determination of the Competitiveness Section Manager no. 1103 of 19 December 2023.