Proof of Concept (Dokazivanje inovativnog koncepta) (PoC9 — First PK.1.1.17)

The Proof of Concept Programme sits under HAMAG-BICRO and, in the 2026 cycle, under the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth's NPOO funding stream. It is built for the earliest pre-commercial stage of innovation, where the task is to prove a technical and commercial concept at TRL 3 to 4 before full industrial R&D becomes realistic. The 2026 call, PoC9 under code PK.1.1.17, opened on 2026-05-15, with project applications accepted from 2026-06-16 until 2026-09-15 through eKohezija. The grant is non-repayable, capped at EUR 70,000 per project, and eligible applicants include Croatian micro, small, and medium enterprises as well as research organizations. The permitted work covers technical validation, knowledge and technology transfer, IP protection, dissemination, and project management. This route fits founders and researchers who have a credible concept but need a disciplined first validation step rather than scale-up money. It is also unusual in allowing natural persons with serious incorporation intent, which makes it one of the few Croatian public routes that can still catch a project before the company is fully formed.

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