PoCIDIF 1.4: €13.76 million for training researchers in SMEs and institutes, deadline 30 October

The call "Support for developing skills and strengthening the capacity of RDI stakeholders" under the Smart Growth, Digitalisation and Financial Instruments Programme (PoCIDIF), Action 1.4, funds the training of employees who work in research, development and innovation (RDI) and in technology transfer. The budget is 13,761,318 euro, and the call has national coverage. SMEs, micro-enterprises and research organisations can apply. Submission is open until 30 October 2026, 17:00. On 28 September 2026, the ministry published MIPE Order no. 1489, which amends the applicant's guide.

In brief

• Programme: PoCIDIF 2021–2027, Priority 1, Specific Objective RSO1.4, Action 1.4
• Authority: the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, through the PoCIDIF Managing Authority
• Beneficiaries: SMEs, micro-enterprises, research centres and institutes, private RDI organisations
• Total budget: 13,761,318 euro, of which 10,432,891 euro for less developed regions and 3,328,427 euro for more developed regions
• Intensity: 100% of eligible costs for research organisations. For SMEs, de minimis aid of up to 90%, with an own contribution of at least 10%, within the ceiling of 300,000 euro over 3 years
• Submission period: 31 July 2026, 10:00 – 30 October 2026, 17:00
• Status: open competitive call with a deadline. The guide was amended by MIPE Order no. 1489 (published on 28 September 2026)

What does the call fund?

The money goes into training people, not equipment or construction. According to the guide, the target group is "persons employed by the supported entity who can prove their involvement in RDI/technology transfer activities". The eligible activities, as shown on the official platform, are:

• professional training programmes completed with a diploma or certificate (mandatory activity);
• applied training modules and traineeships;
• participatory workshops;
• temporary mobility;
• study visits and technical missions;
• project publicity and management, plus the financial audit (all mandatory).

Who can apply and how much do they receive?

The funding intensity depends on the type of applicant. Research organisations receive 100% of eligible costs. For SMEs, support is granted as de minimis aid. The guide specifies that it "will represent a maximum of 90% of the total eligible costs of the project", and the remaining minimum of 10% is paid from the beneficiary's own funds. All of this falls within the de minimis ceiling of 300,000 euro over 3 years.

Please note: the 300,000 euro figure is the single undertaking's de minimis ceiling over 3 years, not necessarily the maximum project value. De minimis aid already received by the company and by companies linked to it is deducted from the ceiling. On the official platform we did not find minimum or maximum limits for a project's value. Check them directly in the guide published on the MIPE website.

What changed with MIPE Order no. 1489?

On 28 September 2026, the Managing Authority published MIPE Order no. 1489 amending the applicant's guide. On 29 September, the amendment was also announced on the oportunitati-ue.gov.ro platform. Following this amendment, the official platform shows a submission deadline of 30 October 2026, 17:00. The public announcements do not list the other changes. Therefore, before submitting, read the full order, which can be downloaded from the call page, and the consolidated version of the guide.

What this means for your business

The recommendations below are our opinion as consultants, not conditions of the guide.

• Who it suits: SMEs that already have real research, product development or technology transfer activity and people who can prove it. If your company has no employees involved in RDI, this call is not suitable.
• What to prepare now: the list of employees in the target group, with evidence of their involvement in RDI (job descriptions, projects, reports), training providers that issue recognised diplomas or certificates, and the calculation of the de minimis ceiling available over the last 3 years.
• Common pitfalls: training programmes unrelated to the company's RDI activity, mandatory activities left out (certified training, management, publicity, audit) and a de minimis ceiling exceeded because of linked companies.
• Time: there are four weeks left until the deadline. That is enough for a well-targeted training project, but not for starting the documentation from scratch.

If you are not sure whether your company qualifies, you can first take the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Can an SME without a research department apply?

The target group consists of employees who can prove their involvement in RDI or technology transfer activities. If your company has no such employees and cannot document this involvement, it falls outside the scope of the call, even if it is an SME.

How much must the company pay from its own funds?

For SMEs, de minimis aid covers a maximum of 90% of eligible costs, so the company pays at least 10%. Ineligible costs, if any, are borne entirely by the beneficiary.

Do research organisations pay co-financing?

No. According to the official information on the call, research organisations receive 100% of eligible costs.

Until when can I apply?

The call opened on 31 July 2026 at 10:00, and the deadline shown on the official platform after the guide was amended is 30 October 2026, 17:00. It is a competitive call with a deadline, so projects are not approved in the order of submission.

Can laboratory equipment be funded?

The officially published eligible activities relate to training, mobility, workshops and study visits, plus project management, publicity and audit. Other PoCIDIF actions cover research equipment. Check the exact list of eligible costs in the guide.

Official sources

• MIPE – PoCIDIF 1.4 Applicant's Guide (call page, documents)
• MIPE Order no. 1489 amending the applicant's guide
• MIPE – PoCIDIF: amendment of the applicant's guide
• EU Funding Opportunities – call sheet
• EU Funding Opportunities – POCIDIF amends the applicant's guide

Information checked on 3 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.