The region of development
The incentives and the services
Informative tools for territorial marketing
Incentives for research and innovation
One of the main objectives of the system of incentives is to support research and innovation activities of the businesses. The regional programmes aim to stimulate investment in R&D, promote new high-tech entrepreneurial activities, support the network of industrial research laboratories and stimulate joint programmes between research entities and companies.
Those who invest in Emilia-Romagna can receive incentives for:
- finance for R&D projects in companies
- collaborative research amongst SMEs, companies and the research network
- support for spin-offs and start ups of innovative companies
- the use of IT in SMEs
- innovative tools for financial management
- favourable credit terms for companies that invest in R&D
- support for training in the innovation field
- support for investment in energy and environmental technology
Funding derives primarily from the European Regional Development Fund’s Regional Operational Programme (with 270m euro dedicated to industrial research and technological transfer for the period of 2007 to 2013) and the Regional Programme for Industrial Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer (PRRIITT).
The funds allocated so far for investments in research and innovation amount to 244m euro with the regional contribution set at 96m euro. Regional legislation has financed the establishment of 529 company research projects, the creation of 26 high-tech companies, the hiring of 930 new researchers for companies, 750 work contracts between businesses, universities and research bodies and 300 new patents.
The protagonists of the regional programme are small and medium enterprises. The sectors that undertake the most research are specialised mechanical engineering (precision engineering, mechatronics, automotive), followed by agribusiness, ceramics, ICT and energy/environment.
The European Social Fund also plays an important role in training-related issues and the Regional Plan for Telematics to support infrastructures and telematics services for business R&D and organizational innovation. Various venture capital funds specializing in innovation such as the Ingenium Fund are also active in the area.
The main national incentives include the deduction from tax of private investment in R&D (a 40% allowance for contracts with universities and research centres, 10% for the other investments in R&D) and the Industria 2015 support programme.
