Last chance to draw support from OPEIC
The Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness Operational Programme (OPEIC) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) is slowly coming to a close before being replaced by the Technology and Application for Competitiveness Operational Programme (OPTAC). Businesses thus have the last chance to apply for support from the OPEIC and its favourite subsidy programmes. Calls to participate in the programme should be announced in late August/early September. Make use of the less busy summer time to prepare project applications!
R&D activities and innovation in manufacturing
The Potential Programme providing support to the establishment and development of research and development centres should be announced on 21 August 2020, with total funds for allocation of CZK 1 billion. Applications will be accepted from 4 September to 23 November 2020.
The Application Programme is intended to provide support to the industrial research and experimental development project solutions, in particular related operating expenses. The call to participate in this programme is expected to be announced on 1 September 2020, with total funds for allocation of CZK 2.5 billion. Applications will be accepted from 14 September to 15 December 2020.
The Innovation Programme focusing on innovation in production after completing research and development activities will offer funds for allocation of CZK 2.5 billion and will be announced on 29 September 2020. Applications will be accepted from 15 October 2020 to 29 January 2021.
Large businesses intending to participate in the OPEIC programmes must again meet the following intervention code criteria:
- Intervention Code 065 – projects must have a significant positive effect on the environment, focusing on low-carbon economy and resilience against climate change.
- Intervention Code 063 – large businesses must directly cooperate with small and medium-size businesses on specific research and development projects.
To apply for support from the Potential Programme, large businesses must fulfil at least one of the above criteria. With respect to the Innovation Programme, large businesses cannot choose among the criteria but must meet Intervention Code 065. Contrariwise, within the Application Programme, so far, it has been possible to file an application without having to prove that any intervention code criteria have been met (claiming a lower maximum subsidy per project) and the current schedule for now confirms the same.
Energy Savings and Low-Carbon Technology
Other calls within OPEIC expected in 2020 will focus on energy-saving measures and will include calls under the Low-Carbon Technology Programme, which should be announced in September and target Electromobility, Energy Accumulation, and Secondary Raw Materials. Applications for support will be accepted from 11 (or 14) September to 25 November (or 21 December) 2020.
The last interesting programme under OPEIC also available for large businesses is the Energy Savings Programme focusing on the reduction of energy consumption in companies (e.g. through building insulation, lighting replacement, energy measurement and regulation systems, etc.). The acceptance of applications for this type of support ended on 30 June 2020; however, the MIT has announced its intention to organise another call with funds for allocation of CZK 2 billion, depending on the amount of funds unallocated within the current call.
More detailed information about applicable criteria for individual calls will be available once the calls are announced. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.