Programme for applied research
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.
Before applying for support, it is necessary to undergo preliminary consultation.
Preliminary consultation means a substantive discussion and preparation of a project plan in cooperation with the entrepreneur and the RUP expert. During this, the RUP consultant receives a thorough overview of the project, analyzes the plan, and provides comments and recommendations. Sufficient time must be left for the pre-consultation to discuss the validity of both the technology and the business plan.
The process is considered completed when the consultant is convinced that the project has been prepared in a quality manner so that it can be successfully implemented and the project documentation meets the RUP requirements. The project then moves on to pre-assessment.
The 11th application round is open from 03.08.2026 at 9:00 to 28.09.2026 at 16:00.
Preliminary consultation is open on an ongoing basis, and in order to participate in the round, the idea must be submitted by 03.08.2026 at the latest.
To do so, click on “Preliminary consultations” and fill in the online form. For all other questions regarding the applied research program, click on “Ask more”.
Registration for preliminary consultation for the 10th application round has ended. Application documents must be submitted for preliminary assessment by 25.02.2026, at the latest. Applications that receive a positive preliminary assessment must be submitted to the e-toetus environment by 23.03.2026 at 16:00 at the latest.
The budget for both rounds is 15,000,000 euros.
The amount of support requested is 250,000 to 2,000,000 euros.
Information about small projects with support up to 250 000 euros here
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.
Feedback
The applied research programme helps entrepreneurs bring their ideas to the market quickly – it’s a real launchpad for Estonian innovation and the Estonian economy!
What kind of projects are we expecting?
artificial intelligence, machine learning, the internet of things, anything cyber-related
personal medicine, e-health
wood, food, coal and nanotechnological approaches to materials technology
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 applied research grant depending on the size of the company in the context of effective cooperation:
- 80% (small)
- 75% (medium)
- 65% (large)
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)
The percentage of support for this grant is 50% if support is applied under GBER (applies for SMEs only) or 80% if support is applied under de minimis aid (applies to all enterprises).
The Research and Innovation Programme (RUP) has been certified as an EIC Accelerator Plug-In, which significantly simplifies the EIC application process. The EIC Accelerator supports high-risk and high-impact development activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Successful RUP projects can be further developed by submitting a full application to the EIC after our assessment. A short pre-advice is required to participate in the Plug-In programme.
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.
Preliminary consultation is open on an ongoing basis.
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. The preliminary consultation will end with a preliminary assessment.
Submitting an application
The application can be compiled and submitted in the online E-toetus environment, after completing the mandatory preliminary consultation and mandatory preliminary assessment.
Registration for preliminary consultation for the 10th application round has ended. Application documents must be submitted for preliminary assessment by 25.02.2026, at the latest.
Applications that have received a positive preliminary assessment must be submitted to the e-toetus environment by 23.03.2026 at 16:00 at the latest.
The applicant’s confirmation of the start-up company’s compliance with the requirements
Confirmation of the applicant’s compliance with the requirements of the scale-up company
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)
Instruction for determining level of technical preparedness in projects
Evaluation of applications
The applications will be assessed by experts and the assessment committee.
They will look at all relevant materials and perform an assessment of the project. The assessment will be based on the contents of the project as well as other data that is available in public databases.
Additional information may be requested if necessary. Enterprise Estonia will make the decision to fund or not fund the project based on the recommendations of the assessment committee. You will be notified in writing when a decision has been made.
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.
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.
Preliminary consultation is open on an ongoing basis.
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. The preliminary consultation will end with a preliminary assessment.
The application can be compiled and submitted in the online E-toetus environment, after completing the mandatory preliminary consultation and mandatory preliminary assessment.
Registration for preliminary consultation for the 10th application round has ended. Application documents must be submitted for preliminary assessment by 25.02.2026, at the latest.
Applications that have received a positive preliminary assessment must be submitted to the e-toetus environment by 23.03.2026 at 16:00 at the latest.
The applicant’s confirmation of the start-up company’s compliance with the requirements
Confirmation of the applicant’s compliance with the requirements of the scale-up company
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)
Instruction for determining level of technical preparedness in projects
The applications will be assessed by experts and the assessment committee.
They will look at all relevant materials and perform an assessment of the project. The assessment will be based on the contents of the project as well as other data that is available in public databases.
Additional information may be requested if necessary. Enterprise Estonia will make the decision to fund or not fund the project based on the recommendations of the assessment committee. You will be notified in writing when a decision has been made.
- 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.
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
Customer Service
+372 627 9700
[email protected]
Ene Viiard
Applied Research Programme R&D Expert
[email protected]
Read more about the terms and conditions in the grant regulation:
Grant regulation (for projects in application rounds opened from July 2025 onward)
Grant regulation (for projects in application rounds opened from 2022 onward)
Find more information about the previous projects and the grants they received here
Funded projects database