Aim of the call:

To support and fund innovative research aimed at generating new knowledge or applying existing knowledge to address well-defined challenges and practical tasks. Additionally, to assess the feasibility of novel or enhanced technologies, methodologies, products, services, or solutions through the development of small-scale prototypes, experimentation, and validation in laboratory or simulated environments, as well as through pilot demonstrations and real-world applications.

The research should emphasize experimental development, advancement of Technology Transfer Readiness Levels, commercialization, and industrialization. Projects funded under this call should contribute to the enhancement of Georgia's Smart Specialization strategy and promote the effective integration of scientific advancements into the national economy.

Project type: Institutional

Three types of applied research can be funded within the call:

1. Proof of Concept research shall be aimed at determining the applicability of a methodological or technological idea in a laboratory or simulated environment through experimentation (testing);
2. Pilot research shall be aimed at validating of the applicability of a methodological or technological idea in a real/industrial environment through examination/testing.
3. Implementation research shall be aimed at demonstrating of the applicability of a methodological or technological idea in a production/industrial environment, approbation of a production line service to ensure its access to the market.

Call Conditions:

The expenditure of the requested sum from the foundation must meet the following requirements:

• The duration of the proposed project must be either 12 or 24 months.
• For Proof of Concept projects, the maximum grant funding requested from the Foundation shall not exceed 90,000 GEL per year (or 180,000 GEL for two years). Additionally, the project must provide a minimum co-financing of 5% of the requested grant amount.
• For Pilot Research projects, the maximum grant funding requested from the Foundation shall not exceed 120,000 GEL per year (or 240,000 GEL for two years). The project is required to provide a minimum co-financing of 15% of the requested grant amount.
• For Implementation Research projects, the maximum grant funding requested from the Foundation shall not exceed 180,000 GEL per year (or 360,000 GEL for two years). The project must ensure a minimum co-financing of 25% of the requested grant amount.