Programme for applied research (small projects with support up to 150 000 euros)
The programme for applied research supports the development of innovative products and allows you to grow your company’s income by developing new or significantly enhanced technologies, processes, products or services.
The programme consists of advising companies and supporting applied research.
The support applied for by the projects should be between 100,000 and 150,000 euros.
NB! One economic entity can receive support from the application round once in three years.
In order to be a part of the applied research programme, companies must first attend a mandatory preliminary consultation.
Who is the programme for?
- This programme is for companies that wish to develop innovative technologies, processes, products or services, test new materials or gather knowledge about technological feasibility.
- A company will be able to apply independently or in cooperation with other companies, scientific establishments, testing laboratories or intellectual property experts.
- The programme is open for all companies registered in the Estonian business registry, regardless of their size or years of operation. The company must not be in difficulties.
What kind of projects are we expecting?
- digital solutions for any area of life
(artificial intelligence, machine learning, the internet of things, anything cyber-related) - health technology and services
- upcycling local resources
- smart and sustainable energy solutions
What qualifies for a grant?
Proportion of applied research grant depending on the size of the company:
- 70% (small business)
- 60% (medium business)
- 50% (large business)
Proportion of experimental development grant depending on the size of the company:
- 45% (small)
- 35% (medium)
- 25% (large)
Proportion of experimental development grant depending on the size of the company in the context of effective cooperation:
- 60% (small)
- 50% (medium)
- 40% (large)
We will grant support for conducting feasibility studies as a preliminary step for conducting applied research or developing products. Grants are only given to feasibility studies that precede applied research or experimental development activities.
- 70% (small)
- 60% (medium)
- 50% (large)
Primary protection of intellectual property can be applied for only if the project also contains applied research or experimental development activities.
- The percentage of support for this grant is 50%
What will change in the company?
An increase in income through scientific activities and product development
An increase in international competitiveness
Increased number of employees involved in R&D
Preliminary consultation
In order to be a part of the applied research programme, companies must first attend a mandatory preliminary consultation. The preliminary consultation provides feedback on the contents of the project and on how well it complies with the technical requirements of the programme. The companies will also receive suggestions on the improvement and development of the project. The preliminary consultation will also reveal whether there is a need for international expertise.
Submitting an application
You can prepare and submit the application after passing the mandatory preliminary counseling in the e-support environment of structural support.
Application documents:
Sample application form (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
The applicant’s confirmation of compliance with the conditions of the start-up company (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
The applicant’s confirmation of compliance with the conditions of the growth company (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
Project plan (changing, we will add soon)
Budget form (changing, we will add soon)
Finance prognosis form (changing, we will add soon)
Partner information form (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
Group membership scheme (if the applicant is a part of a group and the group’s data is not viewable in the business registry) (in Estonian)
Power of attorney sample (if the signatory of the application is not a representative of the applicant)
Instructions for determining level of technical preparedness:
Determining level of technical preparedness in projects (in Estonian)
Determining level of technical preparedness in IT-projects (in Estonian)
Determining level of technical preparedness in chemical industry projects (in Estonian)
Evaluation of applications
Submitted applications are evaluated by experts.
All materials will be familiarized with and a substantive evaluation of the project will be carried out. When evaluating the application, both the information contained in the application and other data available from public databases are taken into account.
If necessary, additional information will be requested. You will be notified of the decision in writing.
Familiarize yourself with the application evaluation methodology
Project implementation
- Support recipients must declare their research and development activity in their yearly report collected by Statistics Estonia.
- If the applying company purchases research and development services, the service providers can only be companies and scientific organisations that have references acknowledged in their field. The service provider can be from Estonia or from a foreign country.
- For projects comparable price quotes is recommended to request for purchasing services during the implementation period of the project that have a cost 20,000 euros or more (excluding VAT).
Detailed terms of the grant are provided in the grant regulations
Reporting
Submit your project reports and requests for payment through the online E-toetus (e-grant) system.
We are always here to help you with any questions!
How to apply?
In order to be a part of the applied research programme, companies must first attend a mandatory preliminary consultation. The preliminary consultation provides feedback on the contents of the project and on how well it complies with the technical requirements of the programme. The companies will also receive suggestions on the improvement and development of the project. The preliminary consultation will also reveal whether there is a need for international expertise.
You can prepare and submit the application after passing the mandatory preliminary counseling in the e-support environment of structural support.
Application documents:
Sample application form (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
The applicant’s confirmation of compliance with the conditions of the start-up company (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
The applicant’s confirmation of compliance with the conditions of the growth company (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
Project plan (changing, we will add soon)
Budget form (changing, we will add soon)
Finance prognosis form (changing, we will add soon)
Partner information form (in Estonian) (changing, we will add soon)
Group membership scheme (if the applicant is a part of a group and the group’s data is not viewable in the business registry) (in Estonian)
Power of attorney sample (if the signatory of the application is not a representative of the applicant)
Instructions for determining level of technical preparedness:
Determining level of technical preparedness in projects (in Estonian)
Determining level of technical preparedness in IT-projects (in Estonian)
Determining level of technical preparedness in chemical industry projects (in Estonian)
Submitted applications are evaluated by experts.
All materials will be familiarized with and a substantive evaluation of the project will be carried out. When evaluating the application, both the information contained in the application and other data available from public databases are taken into account.
If necessary, additional information will be requested. You will be notified of the decision in writing.
Familiarize yourself with the application evaluation methodology
- Support recipients must declare their research and development activity in their yearly report collected by Statistics Estonia.
- If the applying company purchases research and development services, the service providers can only be companies and scientific organisations that have references acknowledged in their field. The service provider can be from Estonia or from a foreign country.
- For projects comparable price quotes is recommended to request for purchasing services during the implementation period of the project that have a cost 20,000 euros or more (excluding VAT).
Detailed terms of the grant are provided in the grant regulations
Submit your project reports and requests for payment through the online E-toetus (e-grant) system.
We are always here to help you with any questions!
Assistance for applicant
Read more about the terms and conditions in the grant regulation:
Regulation on applied research of undertaking
Activities will be considered effective cooperation under the General Block Exception Regulations if the project is carried out:
- between independent entrepreneurs, at least one of whom is an SME (small or medium sized enterprise), or if the project is carried out in at least two European Union Member States or a European Union Member State and a country involved in the European Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement and neither entrepreneur carries over 70% of the eligible costs
- or between an entrepreneur and at least one R&D establishment that bears at least 10% of all eligible costs and who has the right to publish the results of their activities
Find more information about the previous projects and the grants they received here:
Funded projects database