01.02.2024
THE "DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIONS IN ENTERPRISES" PROCEDURE WITH A BUDGET OF BGN 127 MILLION IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth has opened for applications the "Development of Innovations in Enterprises" procedure. It is part of the support for Bulgarian business under the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program. Its budget is BGN 127 million. The documents for it are submitted entirely online through the ISUN 2020 system until 4:30 p.m. on May 15, 2024.
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), companies with up to 3,000 employees and large companies in partnership with SMEs will be able to benefit from grants. Their projects must be focused on one of the five thematic areas of the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization - "Informatics and ICT", "Mechatronics and microelectronics", "Healthy living industry, bioeconomy and biotechnologies", "New technologies in creative and recreational industries" and "Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy".
The minimum amount of funding under the procedure is BGN 50,000. The maximum amount depends on the size of the companies. For micro enterprises it is BGN 250,000, for small ones - BGN 400,000, and for the rest - BGN 500,000. Co-financing is from 25% to 60% compared to the category of companies.
Support will be provided for the development of product or business process innovations related to research, testing, measurement and validation, as well as the creation and testing of prototypes and pilot lines. More activities to protect industrial property rights at the national and international level of the developments under the project will be financed.
It will be permissible to develop innovations in various spheres of the economy. For example in the field of artificial intelligence and industrial capacity building, cloud computing (Big Data, Grid and Cloud Technologies), communication networks including wireless sensor networks and wireless communication or control, development of ICT approaches in engineering, medicine, creative and leisure industries , the digitization of cultural and historical heritage, telemedicine, blockchain technologies, etc. Among the priorities is also the creation of innovations in the field of autonomous robots and systems to be implemented in industry and in sectors with a long-term shortage of personnel.
More activities to develop new methods for clean production, storage, processing and reaching the end users of specific Bulgarian ingredients and products will be able to receive funding. Support can be provided for the development of hydrogen-based technologies and the use of hydrogen in industry, energy, transport and the home. Funds under the procedure will also be allocated for the development of innovations for the needs of in-vitro processes, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as well as for new solutions and digitization of cultural and creative industries such as performing and visual arts, media, libraries, etc.
