TRIO programme accepting applications within the fourth call

The TRIO programme supports projects focusing on the development of the Czech Republic’s potential relating to key technologies such as photonics, microelectronics, advanced materials (also in the building industry), advanced manufacturing technologies, etc. At its conclusion, each project must prove the outcome that had been defined in advance, such as a patent, verified technology, pilot operation, software, etc. Software must be intended for commercial use, i.e. the applicant may not develop it only for its own use.

The ministry is planning to support approx. 120 projects, allocating a maximum of CZK 20 million per project. Subsidies may also be granted in respect of projects carried out in Prague.

Deadlines applicable to the projects are as follows:

• project commencement in the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 August 2019,
• project completion by 31 December 2022 at the latest, and
• project duration of a maximum of 48 months.

The fourth call introduces a number of changes compared with the previous calls. The first change is that a maximum of two project plans can be filed per one identification number (IČO), compared with three projects per one identification number allowed earlier. Another change is lower support intensity, amounting to a maximum of 70% of total eligible expenses, aggregately for all candidates.  The support intensity per individual candidates depends on the size of an enterprise. The necessary precondition is efficient cooperation with at least one research organisation, which may increase the project’s support intensity. The applicant may not be related to the research organisation. The scoring assessment system has also changed: increased emphasis is put on the expected project results’ technical and utility parameters and their comparability in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Applications can be filed from the beginning of September until 31 October 2018. Application assessment will be completed by 12 April 2019.