Applications for the Support Program for Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIH), which funds advanced technology testing projects for SMEs, are now open

It is expected that, through this program, more than 1,200 small and medium-sized enterprises will improve their competitiveness and innovation through grants of up to €30,000, distributed across consultancy, testing, training, and technological advisory services.

  • Additive manufacturing and 3D printing
  • Advanced manufacturing and robotics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Photonic
  • Smart connectivity
  • Supercomputing
  • 15/03/2023 10:25

Applications for the Support Program for Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIH) can now be submitted as of February 1, 2023. This program aims to fund advanced technology testing projects for more than 1,200 small and medium-sized Spanish companies. Moreover, it is part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan and seeks to improve the competitiveness of Spanish SMEs by providing support and advisory services in innovation, enabling these companies to adopt disruptive digital technologies.

Eligible small and medium-sized companies may receive grants of up to €30,000, distributed as follows:

  • Consultancy and technological advisory services, up to €10,000.
  • Testing, experimentation, and validation of advanced technology use within the company, utilizing the technological infrastructures of the Digital Innovation Hubs, up to €20,000.
  • Technological training, up to €5,000.
  • Advisory services for sourcing funding for advanced technology projects, up to €5,000.

Additionally, the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) has already published the regulatory bases for these grants. According to the guidelines, the SME will be responsible for contacting the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) they consider most suitable to request the services that align with their needs.

Subsequently, the EDIH will draft a proposal, and once the SME agrees with it, they will request the in-kind grant. After the service has been delivered, the SME will need to pay the VAT, while the EDIH will justify the grant on behalf of the beneficiary.

These grants will be awarded on a non-competitive basis and in order of application submission until the allocated budget, amounting to €16.6 million, is exhausted. The program is also part of other initiatives managed by the Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI), from where applications can also be submitted.

Presentation of the Next Generation Program for Support to Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIH) by ACCIÓ
To clarify doubts regarding the PADIH call, ACCIÓ organized a presentation session for the program on February 22. The informative session began with a welcome speech by Joan Romero, Executive Director of the Agency for Business Competitiveness (ACCIÓ). Next, Jordi Llinares, Deputy Director General for Industry Digitalization and Collaborative Environments at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism (MINCOTUR), detailed the PADIH program.

Carles Miranda, Manager of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy at ACCIÓ, also participated by explaining the Digital Innovation Hub of Catalonia and presenting examples of projects carried out by DIH4CAT entities. He encouraged companies to contact the technical office of the Digital Innovation Hub of Catalonia to address their digitalization needs, receive a service proposal, and execute it with the help of PADIH.

Before concluding the session with an open Q&A, the Next Generation Office was presented. The presentation was delivered by Xavier Elizondo, Manager of the Next Generation Office at ACCIÓ.

PADIH Call Guidelines
Practical Guide for SME Applications
Support Program for Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIH) – SME Grant Call (2023–2025) – EDIH Frequently Asked Questions