Program TREND (Applied Industrial R&D)

Program TREND is MPO's applied industrial R&D route for Czech companies that want to strengthen international competitiveness. Its stated purpose is to help businesses expand into new markets and join global value chains, with Industry 4.0 treated as a cross-cutting priority. The budget runs to more than 17 billion CZK across 2020 to 2030, with about 10 billion CZK allocated through 2027. The instrument is a grant, but delivery sits with TAČR while MPO acts as the guarantor. TREND has two sub-programs: Technology Leaders, for companies with their own R&D capacity that may apply alone or with a research partner, and Newcomers, for companies without regular R&D activity that must partner with at least one research organization. Average support intensity is about 65 percent, so beneficiaries are expected to cover roughly 35 percent themselves. The best fit is a Czech company with an applied R&D project that is tied to a market move, a productivity gain, or a new industrial capability. Newcomer applicants need the added discipline of a research partnership, which makes the program more suitable for teams that can work across company and research settings. Public calls are planned through 2027, so the route rewards organizations that can build a multi-year R&D plan rather than a one-off proposal.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.