Programme for applied research
Accelerating innovation in your company
The applied research programme (RUP) supports the development of innovative products and technologies and enables you to grow your company’s revenue by developing new or significantly modified technologies, processes, products, or services.
The programme consists of advisory services and financial support. Our team of experts helps assess the technological potential of projects, prepare development plans, and guide applicants throughout the application process. In addition, we assist in finding suitable funding sources for further innovation activities and provide advice on protecting and leveraging intellectual property. Contact us and accelerate your innovation!
Who is the programme intended for?
Applicants must be a company registered in the Estonian Business Register. Universities or other research and development institutions, other companies, and, if necessary, international partners can also participate as project partners. (Note: Partnerships with international parties are treated as service provision or subcontracting – see the explanation of “effective collaboration” below.)
RUP is aimed at all Estonian companies—regardless of size or age—that:
- Develop innovative solutions by creating new or significantly improved technologies, processes, products, or services; testing new materials; or exploring technological feasibility.
- Carry out development independently or in collaboration with other Estonian or foreign companies, research institutions, testing laboratories, or intellectual property experts.
Prelimenary consultation
Before applying for a grant, a pre-consultation must be completed. Pre-consultation is an individual advisory process in which RUP sectoral experts explain the grant conditions and provide feedback on the project idea. During the consultation, the suitability of the project for the measure is assessed, development needs are identified, and recommendations for improving the project are given. A positive pre-consultation result leads to the preparation of a preliminary assessment of the project plan, confirming that the project meets the grant’s objectives and conditions. Only projects with a positive preliminary assessment can submit an application—pre-consultation is mandatory for all applicants.
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Useful reading
Currently, the RUP programme has the following application rounds open or about to open.
Open from 28 July 2025 at 9:00 until 3 October 2025 at 16:00. Pre-consultation is mandatory before applying for the grant. Pre-consultation is available continuously, and project materials for preliminary assessment must be submitted by 15 September 2025 at the latest.
Open from 28 July 2025 at 9:00 until 3 October 2025 at 16:00 (detailed information will be added soon). This is a sector-specific special round focusing on the development of new technologies in the food and beverage sector.
The application round is open on an ongoing basis.
All companies registered in the Estonian Business Register—regardless of size or age—are eligible to apply for funding. The applicant must be a company, but the project may also involve research institutions, other companies, and international partners.
We support projects in the RDIE focus areas. For more information, see https://www.taie.ee/
.
Below are examples, and if in doubt, please ask for further guidance:
- Digital solutions across all sectors: artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithm development, large language models, the Internet of Things, and cybersecurity.
- Health technologies and services: projects in digital health, drug development, personalized medicine, e-health, medical devices, diagnostics, etc.
- Utilization of local resources: projects in food technologies, wood, mineral resources, secondary raw materials and waste, as well as innovative materials technology solutions.
- Smart and sustainable energy solutions: energy production and efficiency, resource-saving, climate-neutral energy production and renewable energy, flexibility and storage technologies, and smart grids.
Funding is provided to carry out research and development activities within a company. Specifically, funding can be applied for the following activities: applied research, product development (i.e., experimental development), related feasibility studies, and the initial protection of intellectual property created in the project. Below is an overview of the maximum funding rates for eligible costs, depending on the type of activity, company size, and whether the project is carried out alone or in cooperation with partners.
TRL (technology readiness level) indicates the maturity of the development. Guidance on determining TRL can be found here
Applied research (TRL 3–5)
Funding rate for applied research depending on company size:
- 70% (small),
- 60% (medium),
- 50% (large).
Funding rate for applied research in effective cooperation, depending on company size:
- 80% (small),
- 75% (medium),
- 65% (large).
Experimental product development (TRL 6–7)
Funding rate for experimental product development depending on company size:
- 45% (small),
- 35% (medium),
- 25% (large).
Funding rate for experimental product development in effective cooperation, depending on company size:
- 60% (small),
- 50% (medium),
- 40% (large).
Feasibility study
Support for feasibility studies is available if carried out for applied research or experimental product development. Feasibility studies are funded only when conducted together with applied research or experimental product development activities:
- 70% (small),
- 60% (medium),
- 50% (large).
Initial intellectual property protection
Funding rate is 50% when applying under the group exemption regulation (applies to small and medium-sized enterprises) or 80% when applying as de minimis aid.
Follow-up funding for successful RUP projects via EIC
The RUP program is certified as a plug-in to the EIC Accelerator, which significantly simplifies the EIC application process. The EIC Accelerator supports high-risk, high-impact R&D activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For further development of successful RUP projects, a full application can be submitted to the EIC after evaluation by EIS. Participation in the plug-in program requires a short pre-assessment.
Contact: [email protected]
Only costs directly related to applied research, experimental product development, feasibility studies, and initial intellectual property protection are eligible. General administrative costs such as project management and reporting are not eligible.
ffective collaboration” means that the partners involved in the project jointly develop the project and share costs, risks, and results. Partners (e.g., another company, research institution, or public sector organization) contribute both financially (each partner covers at least 30% of the project costs from their own funds) and with input, and the achievements are jointly owned by all parties. In cases of effective collaboration, it is possible to apply for a higher support rate – up to 80% for applied research and 60% for product development.
A service provider, on the other hand, is engaged in the project as a subcontractor: they provide a specific paid service (e.g., laboratory analysis, engineering service, consultancy) and do not have rights to the project results or share in the risks. A service provider can also be from abroad, and their costs must be reasonable and market-based. Importantly, using a service provider does not increase the support rate, unlike participating as a partner, which qualifies as effective collaboration.
In simple terms: partner = joint development and risk sharing; service provider = you order work from them, but they do not invest their own money in the project.
Funding can be used to cover costs directly necessary for project activities. Eligible costs include, for example, salaries of research staff, use of testing equipment, materials, prototype production, laboratory services, expert consultations, patent application fees, etc. – everything directly related to carrying out the applied research or product development.
Ineligible costs are general business expenses or project management costs that do not contribute to the project content – for example, daily administrative work, accounting, general office expenses, project management labor, reporting preparation, etc. All costs must be justified and necessary specifically for the supported development activity.
The RUP application process consists of several sequential steps. Below is an overview of the application stages with brief explanations:
- Pre-consultation
The applicant submits their idea for pre-consultation and meets with RUP consultants (see above). During the consultation, you receive valuable feedback on the project content and an overview of whether the project meets RUP conditions. You also receive recommendations for developing the project.
- Pre-evaluation
If, during the pre-consultation, the project plan reaches the required quality, EIS experts evaluate the project’s compliance with the program’s objectives and conditions. The content of the project, the applicant’s own funding capability, and the accuracy of submitted documents are reviewed. Projects that pass pre-evaluation may proceed to submit a full application.
- Application submission
Once the project has passed pre-evaluation, an official application can be prepared. Application forms and guidelines are available on the specific call’s subpage. The application, along with all required attachments, must be submitted through the EIS e-support system: https://etoetus.rtk.ee/
.
- Application evaluation
Submitted applications are evaluated by independent experts and an evaluation committee. The project’s scientific and technological level, innovativeness, feasibility, and impact are assessed. Information provided in the application as well as other publicly available sources about the project and applicant are taken into account. If needed, additional clarifications may be requested from the applicant. The evaluation committee makes a recommendation to the EIS Board on whether to fund the project.
Detailed funding conditions are provided in the support regulation:
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