Grant Counseling for Innovations in Companies
Do you need to finance your innovative projects and take them to an international level? Do you have an innovative and scalable product or service with the potential for global markets? We will help you choose the right program and prepare a project application.
- Financing innovative projects,
- supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises,
- supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises,
European Innovation Support Programs
EIC Accelerator
A highly competitive program for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises with the potential to grow rapidly and create new markets.
It supports innovations based on scientific discoveries or breakthrough technologies. While there is no thematic restriction, innovations with a negative impact on the environment, societal well-being, or primarily intended for military purposes are not supported.
The technology readiness level TRL must be 5/6 or higher. Support comes in the form of combined financing, where the grant component up to €2.5 million funds activities with TRL 5/6 – 8 and an innovative character. The investment component, ranging from €0.5 to €15 million, is primarily intended for activities at TRL 9 and above and relates to market entry and scaling up.
Cascade Funding
The European Commission has created a new page on the Funding & Tenders portal to find and gather all cascade funding options from EU projects.
Cascade funding, also known as Financial Support for Third Parties (FSTP), is a mechanism of the European Commission that startups, emerging businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises can use for the implementation or development of digital innovations. All cascade funding calls are available on the page HERE.
Eurostars 2
The target group is small and medium-sized enterprises with their own research activities, engaged in cooperation with at least one foreign partner (consortium of 2 or more partners from 2 or more countries).
Support in this program is focused on completing the development of an innovative product, technology, or service with a planned market application within 2 years of the project completion. One partner (SME) always acts as the coordinator in the project and is reimbursed 60% of the total eligible costs.
TAČR, GAMA, PP2
This program supports the preparation of feasibility studies to verify the technological and economic viability of an innovation with an unlimited choice of topic.
Each project can receive up to 1 million Czech crowns and will also benefit from 24 hours of international business coaching.
How It Works
Analysis of your planned project and your company's capabilities.
Identification of suitable calls.
Gathering of information and preparation of the project application.
Waiting for evaluation.
Implementation of your project or identification of other suitable calls.
Who the Service Is For
- Startups with breakthrough innovations,
- small and medium-sized enterprises with their own research and development,
- only for companies from the Moravian-Silesian Region.
Frequently aked questions
In general, businesses of various sizes, as well as municipalities, regions, ministries, non-profit organizations, research centers, universities, and other entities, can apply for grant support. It always depends on the specific program, which clearly defines the target group and conditions for applicants. In the case of innovation support under the Horizon Europe framework program, we select programs focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and emerging companies.
In simple terms, the process from the applicant’s perspective looks like this:
· The applicants respond to a call that corresponds to the investment plan of their company/startup, while meeting the requirements set in the call conditions.
· They participate in a selection process, which can vary in difficulty, may have different requirements and rounds. The complexity depends on the level of innovation and the size of the project, the number of partners, etc. Some calls have given deadlines, while others are open year-round.
· If the application is approved, the project implementation phase begins. Calls have specified conditions and grant disbursement procedures (pre-financing, financial reports, monitoring, etc.).
If, even after reading the terms of the call, you are unsure which grant is suitable for your project and whether you meet all the requirements, you can contact MSIC for consultation. We will advise you on the best approach for your project.
European projects generally require a higher level of innovation than national programs. If your intention is more of an upgrade than a high-risk innovation, you can check if you can support it through the national program OP PIK/OP TAK (Applications, Innovation, Innovation Vouchers) or TAČR programs such as the TREND program, which finances projects with a research/development component. Another option is to support innovation through the EUREKA program, which represents the European brand but is funded from national sources. In our country, it falls under the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MŠMT), and the level of innovation in projects is moderate. International grants can provide you with prestige, access to partners and new markets, scaling up opportunities for your products and services. They will undoubtedly be an invaluable experience that will propel your company forward.
The amount of support depends on the complexity and size of the project and can range up to several million EUR.
Submitting an application is not associated with fees, but it is time-consuming and administratively demanding. Similarly, coordinating large projects funded by Horizon Europe can be administratively and time-consuming.
Success rates vary across different programs. In general, companies have the greatest chance in less-known cascade funding, where success rates can reach up to 70 %. On the other hand, for example, only 5% of applicants pass through the EIC Accelerator program.
In general, the project needs to align with the chosen call. Its formulation, substantiation with relevant arguments and sources, logical framework, and its technical, personnel, and logistical provisions are important. Last but not least, it is essential that it addresses the real needs of the entities involved and creates a logical whole fulfilling the goals of the grant program. In the beginning, it is advisable to collaborate with someone who is familiar with the programs and who can help you describe and set up your intentions well.
Again, it depends on the specific call. In simple terms, grants are intended to develop meaningful activities, and projects are usually not created with the goal of obtaining a grant, but rather to bring the specific intention closer to one of the calls.
No, unless such innovation is the goal of the project itself.
Yes, the programs require varying degrees of accounting activities, such as documenting expenditures, monitoring, and ongoing reporting of achieved results.
It is directly proportional to the size and complexity of the project. It depends on how many partners are involved in the project, the planned time frame, the number of activities proposed, etc.
The EIC Accelerator call now offers the possibility for self-employed persons to submit an application, but it is conditional on planning to establish a business in the EU or associated countries.
