This call for proposals intends to contribute to a significant increase in the proportion of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have access to the Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) market inside the European Union.

In particular, this action recognises that the public sector can play a large role in helping companies, and in particular SMEs, overcome a well-known market failure: finding a first group of customers for their innovative products and services. 

A budget of €5 million is available with one or two projects expected to be funded. The grant per project will range from a minimum of €2m to a maximum of €5m.

PPI happens when the public sector uses its purchasing power to act as an early adopter of innovative solutions which are not yet available on large scale commercial basis.

This programme for the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) call for proposals is expected to contribute to a substantial increase in the proportion of SMEs with access to the public procurement market, and in particular of the public procurement of innovation.

It will also contribute to increasing the visibility and awareness of the advantages of procuring innovation for a constantly increasing greater number of public buyers.

This will be a two-stage call with the deadline or initial proposals on 19 January 2021, with the six highest ranked successful proposals then being invited to submit a full proposal (deadline 8 June 2021).

Find out more here.