On 29 June 2022, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic announced the sixth public competition under the Programme of Applied Research, Experimental Development and Innovation in the Field of Environment entitled Environment for Life.
The Environment for Life Programme is aimed in particular at new solutions in the field of the environment, stabilising and expanding the knowledge base, which will significantly contribute to ensuring a healthy and high-quality environment in the Czech Republic and to the sustainable use of its resources. The aim is also to minimise the negative impacts of human activity on the environment, including impacts beyond national borders.
The sixth call for tenders was launched in two sub-programmes:
- Sub-programme 1: Operational research in the public interest (PP1)
- Sub-programme 2: Eco-innovation, technologies and practices for environmental protection (PP2)
Sub-programme 1 is aimed at addressing topics with local, regional and societal impacts, the results of which can be used in public administration (eGovernment, digitisation, optimisation of regulation, reduction of administrative burden) and for the production of strategic and conceptual documents. Sub-programme 1 will support R&D projects in the public interest only.
Under sub-programme 2, support will be given primarily to projects focused on environmental technologies and eco-innovation, projects oriented towards innovative approaches with practical applicability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reflecting the protection of natural resources and trend-oriented to current environmental challenges. Sub-programme 2 is financed by the National Recovery Plan under component 5.2 entitled 'Support for research and development in enterprises and the introduction of innovations into business practice' and its investment 'Support for research and development in the field of the environment'.
Applicants may be legal entities of various legal forms (universities, public research institutions, commercial corporations, cooperatives, local self-government units, contributory organisations, various non-profit organisations including associations, etc.) and natural persons in business (sole traders, self-employed persons).
The deadline for receipt of project proposals will be 14 September 2022 and the results will be announced on 31 March 2023. Support for the projects is expected to start on 1 April 2023 and earmarked support of CZK 88 million has been approved for this year.
Detailed information necessary to prepare and submit a project proposal, including information on the evaluation method and criteria, can be found here. Within CTU, the Department for Scientific and Research Activities is dedicated to TA CR projects.