The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS), acting as the implementing body, in cooperation with the intermediary body, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI) and the managing authority, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development (MKRR), has prepared a public call for proposals entitled Promotion of the Implementation of Research and Development Programmes (TRL 3-6) on the basis of the MVZI’s guidelines.
The public call, to which the European Regional Development Fund will contribute more than EUR 31 million, will strengthen cooperation between research institutions and the economy, and stimulate the development of innovation in Slovenia.
The purpose of the public call is to encourage technological and applied research and development at the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), with an emphasis on strengthening cooperation between academia and businesses, especially by involving micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. By combining knowledge and skills, new products, services, and processes will be developed, enabling the use of advanced technologies in priority areas of the smart specialisation strategy.
In addition, the call will contribute to establishing conditions for effective integration of research institutes, higher education institutions, and the private sector in line with the objectives of the Resolution on the Slovenian Scientific Research and Innovation Strategy 2030. It will enable the transfer and circulation of knowledge and strengthen the integration of consortium partners into global value and knowledge chains.
The aim of the call is to support research and development programmes of consortia of knowledge institutions and economic entities that demonstrate:
- concentration of knowledge and competencies,
- scientific and technological excellence,
- market potential in global networks and value chains,
- commitment and ability to invest private resources, and
- sustainability of projects even after the co-financing period.
The public call will strengthen the innovation and development environment and encourage the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy and research sphere. The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development is committed to continuing to support research and development as key factors in economic competitiveness and sustainable development.
The European Regional Development Fund will contribute EUR 31,264,150 to the public call for proposals, which has a total value of EUR 58,753,000.