The research projects awarded by the initiative promoted by Fondazione CDP, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo will benefit from integrated support that combines economic resources, training and coaching with international experts
The evaluation phase has been completed for the first submission window envisaged by the third edition of vEIColo – Support for the valorisation of research, a joint initiative of Fondazione CDP, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo, aimed at fostering the transfer of research to innovation.
The programme remains a strategic element for the strengthening of the competitiveness of the Italian research system within the European context, with particular reference to the EIC Pathfinder and Transition programmes of the European Innovation Council. The objective is to support the transformation of scientific excellence into high-impact innovative solutions, fostering the transition from research to the market and contributing to the improvement of Italy's positioning in the European innovation framework.
The first results concern both lines of action envisaged by the call, designed to support different stages of the innovation process.
Line 1 – Strengthening is dedicated to projects that have already received an "above threshold" rating of excellence at the European level but did not receive funding due to the exhaustion of available resources. The projects selected in this phase will benefit from a total contribution of 199,835.00 euro to support research and a specialised coaching programme of up to 50 hours.
Line 2 – New opportunities is instead aimed at research teams engaged in preparing new applications with high potential for technological transfer. The beneficiaries will have access to training sessions and up to 75 hours of strategic support with international experts, aimed at strengthening and improving their project proposals.
The action goes beyond mere financial support, assuming a systemic value that contributes to strengthening the leadership of research institutions, developing project skills and, where possible, achieving regional balance in opportunities to access European programmes.
The complete lists of projects and entities selected in this first phase for Line 1 – Strengthening and for Line 2 – New Opportunities are available in the relevant section of the Fondazione CDP website.
Note that the next deadline of the Call, for projects intending to apply for the Pathfinder Open 2027 call, is set for 30 September 2026.