Background information

The aim of the measure is to support businesses to conduct applied research in order to develop innovative technologies, processes, products or services, test new materials or gather knowledge about technological feasibility. Entrepreneurs face greater risks when taking the first steps in their product development process, which is why the state chose to support businesses in this phase.

Businesses can apply for the programme through Kredex (foundation established by Ministry of Communication and Economics).

Content of measure

The programme is open for all companies registered in the Estonian business registry, regardless of their size or years of operation, that are not currently in difficulties. The programme consists of consultations and funding for an applied research project.

The research projects should be in the following categories:

• Digital solutions for any area of life: artificial intelligence, ma­chine learn­ing, the in­ter­net of things, any­thing cy­ber-re­lated;
• Health technology and services: personal med­i­cine, e-health;
• Upcycling local resources: wood, food, coal and nanotech­no­log­i­cal ap­proaches to ma­te­ri­als tech­nol­ogy;
• Smart and sustainable energy solutions: energy production and use efficiency and resource efficiency, climate-neutral energy production and renewable energy, flexibility and storage technologies and smart grids.

During the evaluation of the grant applications, extra points are awarded to projects that are aimed at achieving the goals of sustainable development.

The application rounds take place twice a year, the entire budget for the measure for one round is €15 million from national funds. The maximum support amount for one project is €2 million, the minimum is €250,000. The share of self-financing has to be 20-75% of the project budget.

Use of measure

During its four years of operation, the support programme has advised on more than 850 development ideas in different phases, of which approximately 200 have reached a successful project. Fore example, the anti-coronavirus nasal spray BioBlock from Tartu biotechnology company Icosagen, the vegetable cutlets from Vegestar, and the products of Chemi-Pharm, a manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene products, have been developed within the framework of the applied research program.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No evidence of involvement available.

Views and reactions

No evidence of views or reactions available.

Sources

• 15 September 2023: Riik toetab taas ettevõtete rakendusuuringuid 15 miljoni euroga (mkm.ee)
• 27 November 2024: Riik suunab rakendusuuringuteks taas 15 miljonit eurot (eis.ee)