Next competition in the TWIST programme – innovation into practice

Soon we will see the second public competition in the new TWIST programme. This is now expected to have the same focus as its predecessor, The Country for the Future programme, which has supported SMEs to put innovation into practice for several years. It will be about innovation using R&D results in automation, robotics and artificial intelligence.

This financial support is likely to be targeted at SMEs only. This will allow them to innovate their products, processes and procedures for production or service provision or to introduce organisational innovations.

An important aspect of the previous programme was its opening up to companies based in Prague, so we expect the same to be true now.

The subsidy will make it possible to acquire know-how, technology or certification of products and services before their launch on the market. The specific rate and amount of the subsidy will be specified soon.

The project must be content-oriented

(either alone or in combination) on a type of innovation:

  • product innovation (i.e. innovation of a product or service that will subsequently be introduced on the market),
  • process innovation (i.e. innovation of a production or service delivery process),
  • organisational innovation.

In addition, each project must meet at least one of the digitalisation objectives. These are mainly in the areas of systems integration, big data analytics, communication infrastructure, robotics, cybernetics and artificial intelligence.

What the funding can be used for:

  • Costs for innovation advisory and support services
  • costs of acquiring, recognising and defending patents and other intangible assets
  • personnel costs, costs of tools, equipment at depreciation rates, costs of contract research, know-how and patents, other operating costs, overheads (these costs are eligible for process innovation and organisational innovation).

A lot of interest is expected, so we will be happy to consult with you now about your project so that you do not miss this unique opportunity.