The Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently announcing new calls under the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness.
Digital enterprise – virtual enterprise – Call I.
What is the aim of the call?
The aim of the call is to support the digital upgrading of SMEs by supporting the purchase and implementation of advanced non-manufacturing digital technologies that will help the business to go digital.
Place of implementation?
- The project can be implemented on the territory of the entire Czech Republic outside the territory of the capital city of Prague.
When can applications for support be submitted?
- The call was launched on 19 April 2023.
- Applications will be accepted from 3 July 2023 to 2 November 2023.
Project implementation time?
- The earliest date of physical implementation is 31 July 2025.
What are the supported activities?
Support will be given to activities, the main focus of which must be investment or acquisition of ICT products and services (e.g. investment in software, hardware and equipment directly related to ICT or the use of ICT solutions provided in the form of services including expert consultancy services for the design, implementation and management of ICT in the organisation including related processes):
- supporting the digital transformation of the company,
- logistics and warehouse technologies and other non-manufacturing technologies,
- intra-company connectivity (including sensor networks),
- cybersecurity,
- one-time training (certification process) and the necessary tools required to obtain international certifications in IT and environmental sustainability of buildings,
- BIM and CDE systems provided as a service for creating digital models in construction and related fields,
- creation of a digital twin or a similar study to verify the implementation of the digital transformation process.
Eligible expenses include:
- non-current assets (ICT/IT systems, in-house networks, specialised terminal equipment and peripherals, logistics systems, monitoring systems, hardware for mobile remote access of employees to the corporate network),
- intangible non-current assets (basic and advanced software),
- services and other expenses (e.g. the cost of other software provided as part of cloud services provided by the supplier on a time-based subscription basis or fees for connection to online storage and similar systems,
- services of consultants, experts, studies, security audits,
- training,
- creation of a digital twin or a similar study to verify the implementation of the digital transformation process.
Who can apply for a subsidy?
- Beneficiaries of the subsidy may be small and medium-sized entities doing business in the Czech Republic.
What is the form and amount of support?
- Support will be provided in the form of a subsidy.
- The amount of support is set at 40 % for a small enterprise and 30 % for a medium-sized enterprise.
- The grant is granted for a minimum of CZK 250,000 and a maximum of EUR 200,000.
Technology for LAGs (CLLD) – Call I
What is the aim of the call?
The aim is to enhance the sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and create jobs in SMEs, through productive investment among other things.
Place of implementation?
The project can be implemented on the territory of an LAG with an approved programme framework excepting municipalities with a population of over 25 thousand and the capital city of Prague.
When can applications for support be submitted?
- The call was launched on 5 April 2023.
- Applications will be accepted from 1 June 2023 to 31 December 2024.
Project implementation time?
- The latest date for completion of the physical implementation of the project is 31 June 2026.
What are the supported activities?
The grant can finance the following project intentions:
- robotization, automation, digitalization,
- web, cloud,
- communication and identification infrastructure.
Eligible expenses include:
- tangible non-current assets (excluding the acquisition of wheeled and tracked vehicles and wheeled and tracked machinery including accessories, the acquisition of office furniture and equipment, shelving and the acquisition of reconditioned machinery and equipment),
- non-current intangible assets,
- services,
- indirect costs up to 7 % of eligible expenditure.
Who can apply for a subsidy?
- Small or medium-sized enterprise, which operates in one of the supported activities defined according to the CZ-NACE classification.
What is the form and amount of support?
- Support is provided in the form of a subsidy in de minimis mode.
- The support rate is 50%.
- The amount of the subsidy is set at CZK 125ths to CZK 1m.
- The maximum amount of eligible expenditure is set at CZK 2m.
Energy Infrastructure – Smart Grids – AMM – Call I.
What is the aim of the call?
The aim of the call is the development/establishment of smart grids supporting the integration of renewable energy sources into the distribution systems in the Czech Republic.
Place of implementation?
- The project can be implemented on the territory of the entire Czech Republic outside the territory of the capital city of Prague.
When can applications for support be submitted?
- The call was launched on 31 March 2023.
- Applications will be accepted from 2 May 2023 to 25 January 2024.
Project implementation time?
- The latest date for completion of the physical implementation of the project is 31 June 2027.
What are the supported activities?
The subsidy will be provided for the implementation of smart metering technology at low voltage level including communication infrastructure, reading and data centre and related components and modifications of other systems. Supported activities include:
- purchase of smart meters with remote control equipped with a communication unit for a specific type of communication,
- acquisition of mobile operator SIM, relay boxes for load management,
- implementation of the readout and data centre including provision of security components and modification of other related IT systems and control room.
Eligible expenses include:
- tangible non-current assets,
- intangible non-current assets (if necessary for the proper operation of tangible non-current assets),
- non-investment costs (project documentation, engineering activities, assessment of the benefits of upgrading and building distribution networks to increase network capacity for the integration of renewable energy sources, assessment of the performance of the environmentally sustainable investment and climate impact screening of the infrastructure, other costs related to the implementation of the project.
Who can apply for a subsidy?
- Business entities with a licence to operate in the relevant economic activity, in which the project is being implemented.
What is the form and amount of support?
- The support rate is set at 50% of the proven eligible expenditure.
- The subsidy for the project is provided in the amount of a minimum of CZK 100 million and a maximum of CZK 2,000 million.
Potential Call I
What is the aim of the call?
The aim is to develop and enhance research and innovation capacities and to introduce advanced technologies.
Place of implementation?
- The project can be implemented on the territory of the entire Czech Republic outside the territory of the capital city of Prague. Prague.
When can applications for support be submitted?
- The call is scheduled to be launched on 19 May 2023.
- Applications will be accepted from 1 June 2023 to 25 September 2023.
Project implementation time?
- The latest date for completion of the physical implementation of the project is 31 December 2026.
What are the supported activities?
The grant can finance the following project intentions:
- the establishment or development of industrial research, development and innovation centres consisting in the acquisition of technology/facilities and other equipment necessary to ensure the activities of the centre.
Eligible expenses include:
- buildings – new buildings and building alterations (max. 40 % of total eligible investment expenditure),
- machinery and other equipment necessary to equip a centre for research and development,
- intangible non-current assets (acquisition of patents, licences and know-how, software).
Who can apply for a subsidy?
- Small, medium or large enterprise (up to 3000 employees), which is engaged in one of the supported activities defined according to the CZ-NACE classification (C 10, 13 – 33; E 38.32) and has at least two closed tax periods.
- The project must meet the definition of “initial investment”, i.e. relate to a fundamental change in the production process, the establishment of new business premises, extension of the capacity of existing business premises, extension of the product range of existing business premises or a combination of these categories.
- Support for large enterprises in regions CZ02 Central Bohemia, CZ03 South-West and CZ06 South-East can be granted only for initial investment in favour of new economic activity in the given area.
What is the form and amount of support?
- Support is provided in the form of a subsidy.
- The support rate is set according to the size of the enterprise and the place of implementation (20–70 %)
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Grant Thornton Advisory applies a complex and systemic approach in the area of subsidy consulting. We deal with management of the project portfolio from the perspective of possible subsidy opportunities.
Subsidy analysis
- Thorough grant screening that compares the client’s portfolio of potential projects against current and anticipated funding opportunities.
- The analysis focuses on Czech as well as European subsidy programmes, as well as on other types of financing (such as for example loans).
- The analysis is addressed with an agile attitude, with workshops with the client being organised in the meantime, where the options and possible alternatives for how to approach the projects are discussed.
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Consultation and monitoring
- The subsidy analysis will specify potential projects, priorities and action steps.
- Subsequent consultations and monitoring according to the specified action steps will be resolved operatively by means of monthly reports according to the needs and schedule of the projects and the subsidy calls.
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Submitting an application
- At the time of the decision to submit applications for the given project, we will provide complete preparation of the application including supplements, communication with the provider and we will define the necessary cooperation on the part of the client (such as for example the preparation of project documentation, permits, energy assessments etc.)
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Subsidy administration and public procurement
We also offer additional services following a submitted application:
- Preparation of change requests, payment requests, implementation reports, communication with the donor and, after project completion, sustainability reports.
- All supported projects must also be addressed from a public procurement perspective. In case of need, it is possible to arrange support in this area as well.
In case you are interested in subsidies or preparing and submitting project applications, we are at your service.
Please contact Jiří Dvořák, Partner | Advisory, Infrastructure, jiri.dvorak@cz.gt.com.
