On Friday 3 April, the European Commission (the
"Commission") published an amendment to
its Temporary Framework for State
aid measures to support the economy of Member States in the current
Covid-19 outbreak (the "Temporary
Framework"). Among the amendments
introduced was a new "Section 3.6 – Aid for COVID-19
relevant research and development".
Under this section the Commission will consider compatible with
the internal market, aid for R&D projects carrying out COVID-19
and other antiviral relevant research including projects having
received a COVID-19-specific Seal of Excellence quality label under
the Horizon 2020 SME-instrument provided certain conditions are
met. The aid may take the form of direct grants, repayable advances
or tax advantages.