BPF and EMRP Present IFIC – Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness

. 2025-09-26
Banco Português de Fomento (BPF) and the Recovery Portugal Mission Structure (EMRP) will hold a presentation session for the Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness (IFIC) on September 30 at the Palácio da Bolsa in Porto.

The session will also include a protocol signing for the launch of new support measures for companies under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

The session starts at 3:00 PM and will feature the participation of Manuel Castro Almeida, Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Gonçalo Regalado, Executive President of BPF, and Fernando Alfaiate, President of EMRP.

Managed by BPF as the implementing partner and intermediary beneficiary, IFIC aims to support business investment projects in innovative and qualified activities, as well as research and development processes, aligning with the national economic and technological transformation goals and the European strategy for sustainable and digital growth.

With an initial allocation of €315 million, which may be increased with unspent funds from other PRR-financed programs, IFIC is based on an innovative model combining grants with public guarantees, ensuring greater flexibility and impact in the effective execution of contracted PRR funds.

New Support Lines for Companies

Under IFIC, BPF, as the intermediary beneficiary in partnership with EMRP, will launch three new support measures for companies on September 30:
Non-reimbursable grants (grants/fund support):
  • Reindustrialize Line
    • Allocation: €150M
    • Objective: Support the production of new goods and services, or significant improvements to current production, through the application of R&D knowledge and results in a business context, or R&D activities conducted as part of the project execution.
  • Defense and Security Economy Line
    • Allocation: €50M
    • Objective: Strengthen the national industrial and technological base in defense and security, particularly for dual-use applications, supporting R&D projects, productive investment, and internationalization.
  • AI for SMEs Line
    • Allocation: €100M
    • Objective: Support the adoption of artificial intelligence solutions by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to optimize internal processes, increase operational efficiency, and/or integrate digital technologies in interactions with clients and partners.
Additionally, a Public Guarantee line will be launched soon:
  • Medium-Long Term PRR IFIC Guarantee Line
    • Allocation: €500M
    • Objective: Finance projects with merit under the PRR by providing a bank guarantee to support financing of up to 50% of project costs.