In the coming months, the first calls for proposals for The European Funds for Modern Economy 2021-2027 will be announced in Poland. This is a continuation of the two previous programs Innovative Economy 2007-2013 and Intelligent Development 2014-2020.

The following objectives are set for the Program:

• increase the potential for research and innovation and the use of advanced technologies;
• increase the competitiveness of SMEs;
• develop skills for smart specialization, industrial transformation and entrepreneurship;
• transform the economy towards Industry 4.0 and green technologies.

These objectives are to be achieved through the implementation of instruments grouped into four priorities:

• Support for entrepreneurs, i.e. providing co-financing in the areas of R&D, implementation of new solutions, R&D infrastructure, internationalization, development of competencies, automation and robotization, green economy;
• Innovation-friendly environment, i.e. supporting projects of strategic importance for the Polish economy, including, among others, extension of public research infrastructure, transfer and commercialization of technologies developed at universities and institutes, as well as strengthening the potential of business environment institutions such as business accelerators, clusters, research institutions and broad support for start-ups;
• Greening of enterprises, support for projects directly contributing to the implementation of the objectives of the European Green Deal, including climate neutrality, green transformation of the economy and sustainable development. The offer to companies will include a green guarantee fund, a green credit and IPCEI projects. This will be complemented by innovative public procurement of R&D work on technologies and products not yet on the market, desirable for social and environmental reasons;
• Technical Assistance, i.e. systemic support for potential beneficiaries through the implementation of activities encouraging and facilitating the application for funds from the Program.

The offer of the Program is addressed to:

• enterprises,
• scientific sector,
• consortia of entrepreneurs and consortia of entrepreneurs with research organizations,
• business environment institutions, i.e. entrepreneurship centers, innovation centers, financial institutions.

Forms of support:

• grants,
• financial instruments,
• capital and guarantee instruments,
• instruments combining repayable and grant financing.