ELKARTEK. Collaborative Research Grants Programme in strategic areas.

Aid scheme consisting of non-refundable grants to support Collaborative Research carried out by the Research, Development and Innovation Entities belonging to the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network of the Basque Country, in the areas of specialisation included in the Euskadi 2030 Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.

*Budget allocation: Depending on the Annual Call. 44.000.000,00 € (2024 Call - for 2 years)

*Eligible projects:
- Collaborative Fundamental Research Projects:
Fundamental research projects of a strategic nature, carried out in collaboration by the agents of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network and aimed at expanding knowledge in the areas framed within the priorities established in the Basque Country Science, Technology and Innovation Plan 2030 (smart industry, clean + energies and personalised health) or the Transversal Tractor Initiatives defined in the same (healthy ageing, electric mobility and circular economy), in order to achieve greater integration between the social challenges and the RIS3 strategy, and greater collaboration between the areas of specialisation.
They may be multiannual in nature and they must be carried out in cooperation between a minimum of 3 agents of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network belonging to any type of agent of the RVCTI.In g eneral, the maximum number of entities participating in the grouping may not exceed 8, unless expressly authorised by the Vice-Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation.

- Research Projects with High Industrial Potential.
Fundamental research or industrial research projects led by business R&D units belonging to the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network with high traction and market reach and aligned with the areas of specialisation framed in the Euskadi 2030 Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.
They may be of a multi-annual nature. They must be developed by business R&D units individually or led by a business R&D unit in collaboration with other agents of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network. In general, the maximum number of participating entities may not exceed 8, unless expressly authorised by the Vice-Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation.

-Complementary actions of special interest:
Intermediation projects between technological supply and demand developed exclusively by supply-demand intermediation bodies and dissemination bodies, such as:
Elaboration of foresight and early demand studies, as well as technology watch studies linked to fundamental or industrial research projects;
Actions aimed at favouring technological cooperation and advice on the preparation of R&D&I projects for fundamental or industrial research;
R&D&I management activities for the transfer and valuation of knowledge linked to fundamental or industrial research projects;
Promotion of participation in R&D&I internationalisation activities linked to fundamental or industrial research projects.
The complementary actions must be aligned with the areas of specialisation framed in the Euskadi 2030 Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.
The actions may be carried out individually or in cooperation between different bodies and may be multiannual in nature.