Programa PRIMA: Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area.

Who can apply:

• Legal entities based in PRIMA Participating States (19 countries across EU and Mediterranean)
• Research institutions, universities, SMEs, public bodies, and NGOs
• Must form consortia with at least 3 partners from 3 PRIMA countries, including one from a non-EU Mediterranean Partner Country.

Section 1 (EU-funded):

• Follows Horizon Europe rules
• Funding: 100% for RIA, 70% (or 100% for non-profits) for IA

Section 2 (Nationally funded):

• Eligibility and funding vary by country
• Applicants must follow their national funding agency’s rules

The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) offers competitive, project-based funding for collaborative research and innovation projects that address key challenges in the Mediterranean region.

🔹 Research and Innovation Actions (RIA):

• Support the development of new knowledge, methods, or solutions

• Typically cover early to mid-stage research (Technology Readiness Levels TRL 3–6)

• Funded under both Section 1 (EU-funded) and Section 2 (nationally funded)

🔹 Innovation Actions (IA):

• Focus on testing, piloting, and scaling up innovations in real-life conditions

• Target more advanced stages (TRL 6–8)

• Available only under Section 1

• Section 1

  • Funding source: European Union (Horizon Europe)

  • Managed by: PRIMA-IS (centralized)

  • Application process: Single-stage submission via the PRIMA Electronic Submission System (ESS)

  • Rules: Follows Horizon Europe rules (e.g. funding rates, evaluation criteria)

• Section 2

  • Funding source: National funding agencies of Participating States

  • Managed by: Each country’s own funding authority

  • Application process: Centralized submission through PRIMA ESS, but funding rules vary by country

  • Rules: Applicants must comply with their national eligibility and funding conditions

• Section 3

  • Funding source: Directly from Participating States

  • Managed by: Participating States independently

  • Application process: No open calls — these are non-competitive, strategic initiatives (e.g. capacity building, networking)

  • Rules: Not open for general application; defined and executed by the countries themselves

The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) launches annual calls for proposals, typically published in early spring (March–April).

Key deadlines usually fall around:

• Section 2 (nationally funded): early July

• Section 1 (EU-funded): mid July

• Build a Consortium

  • At least 3 partners from 3 PRIMA countries, including one non-EU Mediterranean Partner Country.

• Choose Your Call

  • Apply under Section 1 (EU-funded) or Section 2 (nationally funded).

  • Check the Guidelines for Applicants and national rules (for Section 2).

• Prepare Your Proposal

  • Submit:

    • Part I (administrative data)

    • Part II (technical description, max 45 pages)

    • Budget table (Excel)

• Submit via ESS

  • Upload all documents before the deadline through the Electronic Submission System.

• Evaluation and Funding

  • Proposals are evaluated based on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation.

  • Section 1: Funded by PRIMA-IS (EU).

  • Section 2: Funded by national agencies.

Eligible costs typically include personnel costs, travel and subsistence costs, equipment and infrastructure costs, subcontracting costs, and other direct costs necessary for the implementation of the project, and indirect costs. However, the specific eligible costs and funding levels may vary per country and are detailed in the national regulations of each participating states.