Recover up to 45% of your digital investment — with the right innovation grant

Project planning, grant application, and accounting under Provincial Law 14/2006 — for companies in South Tyrol investing in digital innovation.

Provincial Law 14/2006 — with a partner who knows the process

Smart Dato supports companies in South Tyrol throughout the process of applying for innovation funding under Provincial Law (LP) 14/2006 on Research and Innovation. We handle the entire process: from developing a structured project concept through to formal submission of the grant application and, if required, full accounting until the approved funding is paid out.

Many companies investing in digitalization, process automation, or custom software development don’t realise that a significant portion of these costs can be reimbursed. Whether it’s an ERP integration, a mobile app, or a custom platform — we develop a grant-eligible project concept that fits your company’s actual investment plans.

What Provincial Law 14/2006 means for your business

Provincial Law 14/2006 is the main funding instrument of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen (South Tyrol) for companies investing in innovation and digital transformation. The program covers two categories: process innovation and experimental development. Funding typically reimburses between 35% and 45% of total eligible project costs, depending on company size and project type.

From application to payout: what we manage for you

Every funding project has its own starting conditions. That’s why we build a tailored project concept for each company, rather than working from templates.

Project roadmap

We structure scope, timeline, and investment volume clearly and coherently.

CUP number and registration

We guide you through to official project registration and receipt of the CUP reference number.

Approval and accounting

On request, we manage reporting and accounting through to full payout of the approved grant.

Grant application

Professional preparation and formal submission of the complete application.

Internal hours documentation

Employee time is tracked via timesheets and valued at predefined hourly rates for inclusion in the application.

Project design advice

We help structure grant-eligible projects to maximise the probability of approval.

Prepare and submit your grant application with Smart Dato

We review your project and give you a direct assessment of whether and how funding under Provincial Law 14/2006 applies to your situation.

Why companies in South Tyrol choose Smart Dato for grant support

At Smart Dato, we combine deep technical project knowledge with a clear understanding of the administrative requirements. We have successfully prepared and managed grant applications under Provincial Law 14/2006 on multiple occasions. For companies in South Tyrol looking to invest while capturing available grant potential, this combination makes a real difference.

Track record of successfully submitted and approved LP14 applications
Technical expertise in grant-eligible digitalization projects
Knowledge of current application guidelines and evaluation criteria
Support from planning through to full payout
Clear communication

A key advantage most companies don’t know: internal staff hours count

Grant coverage isn’t limited to external costs. Internal employee working hours — tracked via timesheets and valued using predefined hourly rates — can also be included as eligible costs. This significantly increases the base for grant calculation, even when no major external services are involved.

Up to 45% of total eligible costs reimbursed
Internal employee hours claimable via timesheets
External development and consulting costs includable
Typical project duration: 1–2 years

Which types of projects qualify for funding?

Provincial Law 14/2006 funds projects with a genuine innovation character — not off-the-shelf software purchases, but investments in custom solutions, integrations, and new processes. Eligible projects go beyond routine operations and produce a demonstrable innovation effect.

Custom software development and system integration
ERP, PIM, CRM, and logistics interfaces
Process automation and digital workflows
Mobile applications and digital platforms
AI-based analytics, IoT, and connected systems
E-commerce infrastructure with proprietary technical development

Innovation funding for companies in South Tyrol and Northern Italy

Smart Dato is based in South Tyrol and has direct experience with local funding programs. Provincial Law 14/2006 applies to companies registered in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen. We support both German- and Italian-speaking businesses through the entire application process — in the language that works best for you.

Initial consultation and project assessment

We assess together whether your project is eligible for funding and what investment volume is realistic.

Project roadmap and concept

We develop a structured project plan over 1–2 years as the basis for the formal application.

Application preparation and submission

We prepare all required documentation and submit to the relevant provincial authority. You receive your CUP number.

Accounting and payout

On request, we also manage the reporting process through to full payout of the approved grant amount.

Frequently asked questions about innovation funding

Do I need to submit the application before the project starts?

Yes — this is a firm requirement. Costs incurred before the application is registered and the CUP reference number is issued are not eligible. The application must be submitted before project work begins.

How long does the approval process take?

Processing times vary. Based on our experience, you should realistically allow several months before receiving a decision from the provincial authority. The CUP number is issued immediately after registration.

What happens if the application is rejected?

In the event of an initial rejection, the authority provides specific grounds for its decision. Applicants can submit clarifications or request a meeting to address any misunderstandings. The authority can revise its decision as a result. A rejection does not affect the ability to submit new applications for future projects. We analyse the grounds with you and develop a plan for next steps.

What costs can be included in the application?

Eligible costs include external costs (services, development partners, project-specific software licences, purchased materials) and internal personnel costs, warehouse materials, and flat-rate costs. Ongoing operational costs or standard software without a direct project connection are generally not eligible.

Does the project need to be technically complex?

Not necessarily — what matters is the innovation character. The project must go beyond normal operational activity and produce a demonstrable innovation effect for the company. What that means in your specific case is something we work through together in the initial consultation.

What are Smart Dato’s fees for this service?

This depends on the scope of the project and the level of support required. We discuss this transparently in an initial conversation — with no obligation.

Is this a tax credit or a direct grant?

This is not a tax credit. It is a direct financial contribution that is transferred to the applicant after accounting documentation is submitted. For projects spanning more than one calendar year, a partial accounting per year is required, allowing partial payout of the approved grant amount during the project.