European Funds for Companies: Get Access to EU Funding

These are three mechanisms with different logics. Next Generation EU (PRTR) is a temporary post-COVID recovery instrument that has to be spent before August 2026. The FEDER funds are permanent structural funds that back productive investment and regional innovation over the 2021–2027 period. Horizon Europe is the EU framework programme for research and innovation, with demanding technical requirements and, in many cases, an international consortium.

Yes. Spain ranks first for SME participation in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. The most accessible instruments are Eurostars (up to €400,000 in Spain, with a success rate of around 30%), Cascade Funding (€50,000–200,000, with better odds) and the EIC Accelerator (up to €17.5M, but with a success rate of 6–7%). No previous experience of European projects is required.

It depends on the programme. For PRTR funds run by national bodies (CDTI, IDAE, Red.es), decisions take 3–6 months. Horizon Europe calls take 5–8 months. Regional FEDER varies from one region to another. Our advice is to start the process at least 4–6 months before the call deadline.

Yes, with one technical adjustment: the deduction base has to be calculated net of the grant received. An R&D&I project that receives European funding can also claim the deductions under art. 35 LIS (25–42% for R&D and 12% for technological innovation). Tecnocim manages both benefits together to maximise the total return.

Only 10% of the European recovery funds has reached SMEs, and more than 30% of the support earmarked for Spain goes back to Brussels unspent. The barriers are the technical complexity of the project reports, poor knowledge of the assessment criteria and the burden of justification. A consultancy identifies the best-fitting programme, writes the proposal and supports the justification.