Objective
The aim is to strengthen the ‘innovation capacity’ of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets. The programme will help them outsource research, increase their research efforts, extend their networks, better exploit research results and acquire technological know how, bridging the gap between research and innovation.
Who is an SME (according to EU)
Any company with a turnover less than €50M and less than 250 employees.
Why is it important?
SMEs are representing 99% of all enterprises in Europe, they contribute more than two thirds of European GDP and provide 75 million jobs in the private sector. They are therefore key to implementation of the renewed Lisbon strategy for economic growth and employment.
What will be funded?
To achieve the objectives of ‘Research for the benefit of SMEs’, the following three groups of indirect actions will be implemented:
- Supporting SMEs outsourcing research activitiesThis support aims at SMEs or SME associations in need of outsourcing research to providers of research services (‘RTD performers’) such as universities, research centres or other, more specialised SMEs.It will be implemented through two distinct schemes:
- Research for SMEs – targeting mainly low to medium technology SMEs with little or no research capability, but also high-tech SMEs who need to outsource research to complement their core research capability. Projects aim at creating new knowledge or producing results with clear potential to improve or develop new products, processes or services for the participating SMEs.
- Research for SME associations – targeting associations which act on behalf of their SME members to identify and address common technical problems and to promote the effective dissemination and take-up of results. Projects in this activity may address topics such as pre-normative research issues, technological problems related to the development and implementation of legislation, and technological problems of whole industrial sectors.
Project Budgets
Up to €1.5M for Research for SME projects and up to €4M for Research for SME Association projects.
If you have a project concept and planning to apply for EU funding then please get in touch using the form below.
