Ports 4.0 seeks to promote innovative technological solutions in a key sector for the economy, promoting sustainability, efficiency, decarbonization, security and digitalization.
Objective of the Program
The purpose of Ports 4.0 is to build an innovative and open ecosystem that connects the logistic-port community with entrepreneurs, researchers and technology companies of all sizes. It seeks to promote high-impact technological solutions that take advantage of the technologies that enable Fourth Industrial Revolution to transform the logistic-port sector, improving its competitiveness and sustainability.
What is the Ports 4.0 call for?
The program is designed to capture ideas and projects at any stage of technological development, capable of introducing innovative products, services or processes with direct applications in the logistic-port ecosystem and in the logistics chain. This includes everything from initial concepts to advanced market-ready solutions.
Beneficiaries
- Natural or legal persons, public or private, with full capacity to act.
- Groups of legal entities, which must appoint a legal representative.
- Individuals can only participate in the “Ideas” modality.
Ports 4.0 Help Lines
The call is structured in three main programs:
1. Ideas Program
- Description: Oriented to early-stage projects (TRL 1-2) with the objective of developing proofs of concept applicable to the logistic-port sector.
- Funding: Fixed grant of 15,000€.
- Duration: until 6 months.
- Additional Services: Access to territorial incubators and accelerators.
2. Pre-Commercial Program
- Description: Aimed at projects with an average level of technological maturation (TRL 3-6) that need to be validated in controlled environments.
- Funding: Coverage up to 60% (for small businesses), 50% (for medium-sized companies) or 40% (for large companies) of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 1,000,000€.
- Duration: until 36 months.
- Expected result: Achieve a TRL 6 or higher.
3. Commercial Program
- Description: Focused on advanced projects (TRL 7-9) ready for scaling and commercialization.
- Funding: Coverage up to 80% (for small businesses), 75% (for medium-sized companies) or 65% (for large companies) of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 2,000,000€.
- Duration: until 36 months.
- Expected result: Products fully developed and ready for the market.
What differentiates an idea from a project?
The program uses the Technological Maturity Levels (TRL) to classify proposals:
- Ideas (TRL 1-2): Basic concepts and technological formulations.
- Pre-Commercial Projects (TRL 3-6): Concept tests and validations in controlled environments.
- Commercial Projects (TRL 7-9): Scaling and commercialization in real environments.
Main requirements
- Duration of execution:
- Ideas: until 6 months.
- Projects: until 36 months.
- Present an innovative proposal with a measurable impact on the logistic-port sector
Priority Areas
- Logistic efficiency, automation and robotization.
- Environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
- Digitalization and intelligent platforms.
- Security, cybersecurity and control automation.
Eligible costs
The program will cover expenses related to:
- Research and technical staff.
- Equipment and instruments.
- Contract research and technical services.
- Technological prototypes and pilots.
- General expenses derived from the project.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated according to:
- Innovation and disruptive nature.
- Technical and economic viability.
- Social, economic and environmental impact.
Phases of the call
- Submission of documentation: Through the platform enabled by the General State Administration.
- Correction of errors: Correction of administrative documentation (if applicable).
- Technical evaluation and defense (only applications accepted in the first two phases):
- Explanatory video of the proposal.
- Technical evaluation by experts.
- Public pitch before the evaluation committee.
- Award resolution: Grant proposal according to established criteria.
Deadlines for submitting applications for Ports 4.0 grants
- Ideas: Del December 21, 2024 Al February 22, 2025.
- Projects: Del December 21, 2024 Al March 22, 2025.
Ready to be part of the change? Don't miss the opportunity to participate and make a difference in this new phase of Ports 4.0!
