NRDIO: New innovation voucher scheme supports Hungarian SMEs to boost their innovation performance

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office is launching a new call for proposals to support Hungarian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in their innovation efforts. Under the HUF 2.5 billion call titled “Development of applied research and innovation services”, businesses can make use of a wide range of RDI services through the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ) and the Bay Zoltán Research Centre, with a significant discount through the innovation voucher. The services support the successful implementation of R&D activities, business planning and the rapid commercialisation of ideas/products, thus contributing to the creation of new products, services and technologies that make everyday life easier.
 

László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation and CEO of the NIÜ, said: “The new call fits well into this year’s system of innovation funding schemes, which will put the Hungarian entrepreneurs in a position to make a difference, as the innovative SME sector is a prerequisite for a competitive economy. The strategic goal is to have one in two Hungarian SMEs innovating by 2030, compared to one in three today. Studies show that this will have a positive impact on society and the economy as a whole, with innovative firms operating 58% more efficiently, employing 2.5 times more people and paying 31% higher wages than non-innovators. The aim of the innovation voucher scheme is to help more SMEs to innovate by connecting them with the most appropriate knowledge providers for their business”.

Through two sub-programmes (“Technological implementation of innovative ideas” and “Supporting innovation activities of enterprises with advisory and support services to facilitate implementation and marketability”) the call for proposals will provide HUF 2.5 billion to help Hungarian SMEs to access RDI services from available expert partners that will contribute to improving their innovation capabilities and thus enable them to grow dynamically. Under the scheme, SMEs can therefore apply not for direct funding but for an innovation voucher, through which they can access innovation services at very preferential conditions. Services are expected to be available through the two organisations from next January.

With its specialised resources and R&D expertise, the Bay Zoltán Research Centre will help to turn innovative ideas into competitive solutions that can be used in the market. This creates an excellent opportunity for domestic SMEs to use research services related to their specific product developments, especially in the fields of materials sciences, biotechnology, IT development and energy. With its specialised tools, complex knowledge base and outstanding R&D experience, the Bay Zoltán Research Centre can help SMEs save significant costs and time in their own development projects. Specific collaboration with a research centre can lead to the development of a prototype or even a finished product, but it can also be aimed at upgrading an existing prototype, product, service or technology to maximise its market potential.

The National Innovation Agency will support the Hungarian start-up and SME sector in bringing new developments to market efficiently and as quickly as possible by shaping attitudes, sharing knowledge and know-how accumulated in the innovation ecosystem, and providing targeted advice and mentoring through its qualified experts. The innovation voucher is open to innovative or innovation-ready SMEs and start-ups that are in an active project development or capital raising phase. The NIÜ is launching a survey to work with businesses to develop a package of services that will be available from the beginning of next year. Companies can submit their applications from 11 November 2024 by filling in the form available on the Agency’s website. 

In line with a key strategic objective of the John von Neumann Programme, the initiative aims to ensure that innovation investments have a significant economic impact, i.e. generate growth and revenue, but at the same time help solve challenges that are important for society and contribute to making everyday life easier for the Hungarian people.
 

This article was first published on 12 November by NRDIO.