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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)

Initiative type
  • Support at Member State level
Target beneficiary
  • SMEs and micro companies
  • Large enterprises

Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) are strategic initiatives that can significantly boost economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, resilience, as well as the green and digital transitions across the European Union, by enabling breakthrough innovation and infrastructure projects through cross-border cooperation and with positive spill-over effects on the internal market and the society as a whole. By pooling knowledge, expertise, and financial resources, IPCEIs create positive ripple effects across the EU economy to address important market or systemic failures or societal challenges that could not otherwise be addressed. They are designed to bring together the public and private sectors to undertake large-scale projects of significant benefit to the Union and its citizens. As these projects are funded by national budgets, Member States spearhead the creation and scope of IPCEIs, selecting participating companies and projects.

In this context, the Joint European Forum for IPCEI  aims to facilitate discussions between EU countries and the Commission services to identify areas of strategic interest for future potential IPCEIs, ensuring that these align with the EU’s objectives. Companies interested in joining an IPCEI should contact the relevant authorities in the EU countries. The European Commission is available to assist Member States by providing guidance and assessing proposed projects.  See additional technical guidance on participation.

How to apply

National authorities publish an open call for expression of interest to participate in an IPCEI. Following the publication, interested companies must submit a standardised, short pre-application of your project. If the project is pre-selected by national authorities, interested companies should use the latest templates provided by the European Commission to submit a detailed project portfolio and a funding gap calculation that describe how the project complies with the IPCEI criteria.