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Support programme Innovation vouchers (Operation program of Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Published on 08 March 2021
Czech Republic
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The communication and sharing of knowledge and know-how between the business and research sectors can be utilized by SMEs for launching or intensifying their own innovation activities. Increased interactions between enterprises and organisations dealing with research and knowledge dissemination have a direct impact on enhancing competitiveness of SMEs.
Eligible applicants are SMEs and the supported activity is purchasing of advisory, expert and support services in the area of R&D and innovations from organisations for research and knowledge dissemination or from accredited labs to help SMEs with testing their solutions in product development.
The mentioned services in innovation are mainly measurements, diagnostics, testing, tests, analyses, verification, certification of products, calculations, designs of new systems, technological processes, unique structural designs, modelling, development of SW, HW, material, equipment, system elements, prototypes, functional sample with respect to the development or marketing of a new product (product, service or process), optimisation of processes, characteristics of products, services, methods, parameters etc.
Most recently, the potential grant was increased up to appx. 60k €, which increases the utilization of the vouchers also for the area of I4.0. Research organizations can make a thorough overview of the transformational potential of the SMEs towards the uptake of advanced I4.0 solutions in the processes and products of SMEs.
Eligible applicants are SMEs and the supported activity is purchasing of advisory, expert and support services in the area of R&D and innovations from organisations for research and knowledge dissemination or from accredited labs to help SMEs with testing their solutions in product development.
The mentioned services in innovation are mainly measurements, diagnostics, testing, tests, analyses, verification, certification of products, calculations, designs of new systems, technological processes, unique structural designs, modelling, development of SW, HW, material, equipment, system elements, prototypes, functional sample with respect to the development or marketing of a new product (product, service or process), optimisation of processes, characteristics of products, services, methods, parameters etc.
Most recently, the potential grant was increased up to appx. 60k €, which increases the utilization of the vouchers also for the area of I4.0. Research organizations can make a thorough overview of the transformational potential of the SMEs towards the uptake of advanced I4.0 solutions in the processes and products of SMEs.
Resources needed
Budget for the programme: Approx. EUR 13 987 240. The aid is granted under aid intensity schemes of 50%, 75% and 85% of the proven eligible expenditure.
Evidence of success
The programme offers interesting way and opportunity for the SMEs to establish cooperation with the research sector and thus increase their competitiveness in the market. At the same time, it is an opportunity for knowledge providers to obtain through this cooperation funds for their further research. So far, more than 1200 projects were approved.
Potential for learning or transfer
The main advantage of Innovation Vouchers is lower administrative complexity, fast system of approval and payment of applications for support - the assessment of applications is undertaken only in terms of meeting the formal requirements and eligibility criteria. Another reason for the low administrative burden is that the supported project will get "only" smaller amount of funding. It is a one-off grant with aims to deepen cooperation between business and academia. Mostly it opens the “first cooperation” between the stakeholders from both sectors on a small joint project and then, in the case of mutual satisfaction, long-term cooperation could be established. Ministry of Industry and Trade of the CR also opened special call Innovation Vouchers COVID-19. Within the call, projects focused on, e.g., devices and aids for the care of the sick, protective equipment for health care workers and the public, medicines and preventive medicines were supported.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Czech Republic
Praha
Contact