EU FundsIntelligent Development

Operational Programme Intelligent Development

The OP Intelligent Development aims to boost innovation in the Polish economy.

For enterprises, this translates into an increase in R&D investments. The main idea behind the programme is to support implementation of the entire innovation process, from conception of an idea, through the R&D stage, and on to commercialization of R&D results i.e. launching a product or service.

The motto of the programme is: Support for projects from idea to market. The programme is primarily aimed at entrepreneurs intending to implement innovative projects related to research and development, modern technologies, investments of strategic importance to the economy or intending to implement or use information and communication technologies. The programme aims to support broadly conceived innovation.

OP Intelligent Development supports product, process, marketing and organizational innovations which directly or indirectly contribute to the creation and development of innovative businesses.

Support under the Programme is provided irrespective of the target sector or industry. However, the Programme does not cover local or regional level innovations which are promoted and supported under Regional Operational Programmes and Operational Programme Development of Eastern Poland. Therefore, the Programme is intended for projects that are innovative at least on a national or international level.

Businesses may apply for funding under Operational Programme Intelligent Development through competitions covering the following measures:

1.1.1 Industrial research and development work implemented by enterprises

Scope of support

The main goal of sub-measure 1.1.1 under OP Intelligent Development is to enhance the innovativeness of Polish enterprises through incorporating R&D results in their business. This support covers the implementation of industrial research and/or R&D by enterprises to develop new or significantly improved solutions, including preparation of experimental prototypes and pilot installations. A company may perform R&D on its own using in-house resources or may subcontract a project to third parties (e.g. to research units, other companies, research networks etc.). Implementation of this instrument is to allow a business to bring about a solution covered by the project to a commercialization stage.

Level of support

The measure provides for the following intensity of support depending on the type of activities:

Micro and small enterprises:
- 70% for industrial research and maximum 80% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
- 45% for R&D and maximum 60% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
Medium-sized enterprises:
- 60% for industrial research and maximum 75% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
- 35% for R&D and maximum 50% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
Large enterprises:
- 50% for industrial research
- 25% for R&D

The minimum value of eligible expenditure under the project is PLN 2 million.

1.1.2. R&D work related to manufacturing a pilot/demonstration installation

Scope of support

The main goal of sub-measure 1.1.2 under Operational Programme Intelligent Development is to enhance the competitive edge of Polish enterprises by implementing the results of R&D in their economic activities. This support covers implementation of experimental R&D works to develop new or significantly improved solutions including preparation of experimental prototypes and pilot installations. A company may perform R&D on its own using its in-house resources or may subcontract a project to third parties (e.g. to research units, other companies, research networks etc.). Implementation of this instrument is to allow a business to bring about a solution covered by the project to a commercialization stage. Co-financing is therefore granted for implementation of projects which comprise development only, including the creation of a demonstration installation.

Level of support

Micro and small enterprises:
- 45% for industrial research and maximum 60% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
Medium-sized enterprises:
- 35% for industrial research and maximum 50% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
Large enterprises:
- 25% for industrial research and maximum 40% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results”,
The minimum value of eligible expenditure for projects cofinanced under a competition is:
- PLN 5 million for micro, small or medium-sized enterprises
- PLN 20 million for large enterprises

2.1. Support for investments in R&D infrastructure of enterprises

Scope of support

Support under sub-measure 2.1 under OP Intelligent Development is conducive to establishing and developing R&D centres in enterprises via investment in devices, equipment, technologies and other necessary infrastructure. The necessary infrastructure is understood as costs incurred for setting up and developing R&D business activities associated with acquisition or production of fixed assets in the form of buildings and structures provided that such acquisition is directly related to the objectives of the co-funded project, which infrastructure will serve to carry out research and development works towards the creation of innovative products and services.

Level of support

Micro and small enterprises: minimum 45% of eligible expenditure
Medium-sized enterprises: minimum 35% of eligible expenditure
Large enterprises: minimum 25% of eligible expenditure
Higher level of funding depends on the location of the investment.

The minimum value of eligible expenditure under the project is PLN 2 million.

3.2.1. Research for the market

Scope of support

The aim of sub-measure 2.1 is enhancing the innovativeness and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises by providing funds for implementation of R&D projects. The measure supports the Programme’s main objective and its motto: “From Idea to Market”.

Sub-measure 3.2.1 under OP Intelligent Development is addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises which carried out R&D works independently or had them subcontracted to third parties provided that the results of such works are implementable. The support under the sub-measure is provided specifically for implementation of such results.

Funding is available for innovation projects relating to products which are innovative at least in the Polish market i.e. the implemented product is a novelty with respect to its new features and functionalities compared with the solutions already available in the Polish market.

Level of support

Micro and small enterprises: minimum 45% of eligible expenditure
Medium-sized enterprises: minimum 35% of eligible expenditure
Large enterprises: minimum 25% of eligible expenditure

Higher level of funding dependent on the location of the investment.

The minimum value of eligible expenditure under the project is PLN 10 million.

The maximum value of eligible expenditure under the project is PLN 50 million.

3.2.2. Technology innovation credit

Scope of support

Support is available for projects covering implementation of a technology which is innovative at the national level and is expected to contribute to the development of a new or significantly improved product. The implemented technology may derive from the applicant’s R&D programme, may be acquired from a third party on market terms or may be purchased from a higher education institution.

Enterprises applying to BGK for funding under submeasure 3.2.2 must have sufficient creditworthiness as assessed by the crediting bank and confirmed through obtaining a pre-approval or signing a conditional agreement for technological credit.

Level of support

Micro and small enterprises: minimum 45% of eligible expenditure
Medium-sized enterprises: minimum 35% of eligible expenditure
Large enterprises: minimum 25% of eligible expenditure

Funding is available in the form of a technology bonus paid on a one-off basis following completion of the project and BGK’s inspection of the investment site. The maximum bonus is PLN 6 million and is calculated by multiplying the project’s eligible expenditure by the percentage level of support indicated above.

Technology bonus is granted as a one-off payment at the request of the applicant, submitted to BGK through the crediting bank upon disbursement of the final credit installment and completion of the investment and after inspection of the investment site. The bonus is granted for repayment of the loan principal.

4.1.4. Application projects

Scope of support

The aim of sub-measure 4.1.4 is to support the best R&D projects involving industrial research and experimental development or experimental development leading to the creation of Polish solutions that are unique on a global level. Support is available for applications concerning global-level innovation projects which fall under the socalled National Smart Specialization.

Preference will be given to supra-regional projects, with profitability of implementation as one of the main evaluation criteria. Consortia consisting of at least one research institution and one entrepreneur will be eligible to apply for co-funding of up to PLN 10 million. A consortium can be made of up to five entities, with at least half of them being entrepreneurs.

Level of support

Micro and small enterprises:
- 70% for industrial research and maximum 80% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”
- 45% for industrial research and maximum 60% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”
Medium-sized enterprises:
- 60% for industrial research and maximum 75% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”
- 35% for industrial research and maximum 50% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”
Large enterprises:
- 50% for industrial research and maximum 55% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”
- 25% for industrial research and maximum 40% as a bonus, if any, for “wide dissemination of results” or a project implemented as part of “effective collaboration”

The minimum value of eligible expenditure under the project is PLN 2 million.

Please feel free to contact us for more information. We will do our best to answer all your queries.

EU FundsIntelligent Development

1.1.1 Industrial research and development work implemented by enterprises

1.1.2. R&D work related to manufacturing a pilot/demonstration installation

2.1. Support for investments in R&D infrastructure of enterprises

3.2.1. Research for the market

3.2.2. Technology innovation credit

4.1.4. Application projects

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