This funding opportunity supports projects that establish Excellence Hubs to foster innovation ecosystems in Widening countries. Funded activities include designing and implementing cross-border joint R&I strategies aligned with regional smart specialization strategies, developing common investment plans, conducting R&I pilot projects, and strengthening linkages between academia, business, government, and society. The goal is to create sustainable regional R&I ecosystems that drive economic and societal impacts, especially benefiting SMEs, university spin-offs, and start-ups in deep tech areas
Eligible applicants are legal entities established in Widening countries, coordinating consortia involving at least two R&I ecosystems from different Widening countries. Each ecosystem must include academic institutions, business entities, public authorities, and societal actors. Business entities m
