Financing of R&D capacity development (SO 1a)

For SO 1a1 financed projects are selected through various calls and selection methods. The aim is to renew the scientific and research infrastructure (implementation and preparation of technical documentations) and contribute to the informatisation of science monitoring (project “Science and technology foresight” – OP, 2014; 49).

KK.01.1.1.01 Top-notch Research Centres of Excellence

Objective Strengthening the capacities of scientific centres of excellence Beneficiaries Designated centres of scientific excellence

Max. funding/project HRK38 000 000,00 ~ €5 100 000

Key element among the interventions is to strengthen the role and capacities of centres of scientific centres of research excellence (CoRE) in various disciplines. Altogether 13 CoREs have been set up, thereof ten were eligible for this call. Several has relevance from health innovation (coordinator institutions in brackets – ZCI, 2019)

• Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (University of Zagreb, School of Medicine);

• Centre of Excellence for Virus Immunology and Vaccines (University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine – not in the NUTS 2 region Continental Croatia);

• Centre for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience (University of Zagreb, School of Medicine;

• Scientific Centre of Excellence for Personalised Health Care (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry; University of Osijek)

All the four relevant CoREs have applied their projects, with elements of capacity development, equipment and various research activities. In this call for the different types of activities different co-financing rates were defined, however public institutions, as beneficiaries could apply for 100% co-financing.

KK.01.1.1.02 Investing in organizational reform and infrastructure in R&D and innovation Objective Providing support for innovation reform through infrastructure development Beneficiaries High education institutions, scientific institutions, local governments

Max. funding/project HRK456 000 000,00 ~ €61 600 000

In this call the eligible organisations could apply with 100% co-financing. In fact, beneficiaries could apply basically for physical construction activities, purchase of equipment, but soft elements for organisational development were also eligible. Altogether 13 projects have been started so far, thereof seven projects target directly health innovation. With one exception, the University of Osijek, all beneficiaries of health innovation projects are located in Zagreb.

KK.01.1.1.03 Science and technology foresight

Objective Setting up a coherent system for prioritizing research, development and innovation policies in the Croatian scientific space.

Beneficiaries Ministry of Science and Education

Max. funding/project HRK15 494 132,14 ~ €2 000 000

The project has been selected as a strategic project, without open call. The project has been started in December 2017 and finishes in December 2021. Main output of the operation is the setup of an informational system for the beneficiary ministry, in order to make available data about research, development and innovation activities. Moreover, the project will provide in-depth analysis on scientific capacities, with involvement of relevant stakeholders and revision of existing strategic documents

(MRRFEU, 2017b). The project has indirect relevance for innovation in the health sector, as health is one of the priority areas of the S3 strategy.

KK.01.1.1.04 Investment into knowledge and innovation

Objective Providing support to cooperation projects between scientific institutions and the business sector, in order to improve quality of R&D activities.

Beneficiaries Scientific institutions and their partners

Max. funding/project HRK6 800 000,00 ~ €900 000

Under this call project proposals have been already submitted, however evaluation is still ongoing, therefore no projects are under implementation yet.

KK.01.1.1.05 Centre for advanced laser technology

Objective Development of infrastructure based on advanced laser technology at the Institute of Physics

Beneficiaries Institute of Physics

Max. funding/project HRK121 304 417,38 ~ €16 400 000

As a pre-selected project, it has been allocated to the Institute of Physics in Zagreb. Main output of the project is a modern laser technology centre, which, in its research activities, shall focus on key social challenges, including nutrition and health. The project is financed with 100% co-financing.

KK.01.1.1.06 Development and strengthening of synergies with the horizontal activities of the Horizon 2020 programme.

Objective

Providing support to improvement of innovation capacities, development of infrastructure and equipment for organisations, which have been funded by Horizon 2020.

Beneficiaries Pre-defined, beneficiaries of projects under the horizontal activities of Horizon 2020 “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation”

Max. funding/project HRK1 500 000,00 ~ € 200 000

The call targets partners of Horizon 2020 projects that have relevance for Cohesion Policy and the smart specialisation strategy. Under this call six projects have been started, thereof one has direct health

innovation relevance. The project is owned by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb, dealing with molecular medicine and innovative diagnostic processes.

KK.01.1.1.07 Capacity development for research, development and innovation

Objective Providing support to cooperation projects between scientific institutions and the business sector, in thematic priority areas of the S3 strategy.

Beneficiaries Scientific institutions, SMEs and large companies.

Max. funding/project HRK6 800 000,00 ~ €900 000

The call has been opened in 2018, evaluation of projects is still ongoing.

KK.01.1.1.08 Croatian scientific and education cloud

Objective Development of national e-infrastructure, in form of a computing and data storage cloud.

Beneficiaries University of Zagreb, University Computing Centre

Max. funding/project HRK196 802 600,00 ~ €26 600 000

The project HR-ZOO has been started in July 2018 and will be finished in September 2022. Co-financing rate is 100%.

KK.01.1.1.09 Preparation of R&D&I infrastructure projects Objective

Development of technical documentations for key infrastructure

development projects for R&D facilities. national e-infrastructure, in form of a computing and data storage cloud.

Beneficiaries Scientific institutions.

Max. funding/project HRK9 120 000,00 ~ €1 200 000

Project proposals have been submitted in January 2019, therefore evaluation is still ongoing. It is expected that scientific institutions in the health sector will be active in this call. Co-financing may reach 100%, if activities don’t fall under state aid.

KK.01.1.10 Children’s Centre for Translational Medicine at the Children’s Hospital Srebrnjak

Objective Establishment of a competitive and innovative facility for translational medicine and carrying out organisational reform.

Beneficiaries Children’s Hospital Srebrnjak

Max. funding/project HRK432 234 746,80 ~ €58 400 000

The project – due to its size – is defined as a major project by the OPCC. The project has been submitted in June 2018, grant contract has been signed in July 2019 (Bolnica Srebrnjak, 2019), the project is currently being launched. Co-financing amounts to 100%. The project has clear relevance to health-innovation, as the hospital is a registered research institution with significant research activities.