Call for proposals for funding advanced manufacturing assistance and training for SMEs
Advanced manufacturing technology providers and business intermediaries are invited to apply for this new call to provide Pan-European advanced manufacturing assistance and training programme for small businesses.
The goal of this initiative is to support manufacturing SMEs by providing them access to advanced manufacturing expertise as well as access to relevant training programmes in order to increase their competitiveness.
This support is essential for SMEs since many struggle to embrace advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly because of the high costs of investment involved.
Currently, only a few initiatives of advisory services in this field are available for these SMEs and upskilling of their employees is needed.
The call includes two elements to be provided:
Advice and support: the set-up of a pan-European advanced manufacturing assistance programme to support SMEs and to turn them into a 'factory of the future' with modern and sustainable production. SMEs will be supported to develop a transformation plan and will also be coached during the implementation phase.
Training: the roll-out of an advanced manufacturing training programme. This programme will include training services and the development of framework(s) for training programmes ready to be scaled-up under the European Social Fund.
A contribution of up to €5.7 million from the European Union is available for this call, with a minimum of 65% of the total budget allocated to above mentioned advice and trainings to SMEs.
More information about this call is available here.