The OP TAC is a key programme to support Czech entrepreneurs in the new programming period; a total of EUR 3.2 billion, i.e. about CZK 81.5 billion, has been allocated from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for this programme. The largest proportion of OP TAC will support projects focused on enterprise performance enhancement in the area of research, development and innovations and moving enterprises towards a low-carbon economy.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has already started receiving applications for the first OP TAC calls. Subsidies within the Application, Innovations and Energy Savings programmes can be applied for since 1 September. These subsidy programmes cover large enterprises; however, the Innovation programme limits large enterprises to the “small mid-caps” category of up to 500 employees.

Within the September calls, more than CZK 15 billion will be distributed among entrepreneurs. In particular, projects in the fields of research, development and innovations, energy savings and renewable energy sources will be supported. All programmes must be implemented on the territory of the Czech Republic outside Prague.

The programmes are as follows:

Application

• Programme focus: Support of programmes focused on industrial research and experimental development activities leading to specific outputs in the form of prototypes, industrial or utility models, verified technologies, or software.
• Who may apply for the subsidy: Small and medium enterprises (SME), large enterprises (up to 3,000 employees without any limitations; more than 3,000 employees only in cooperation with SME), research organisations
• Amount of allocation: CZK 4 billion
• Amount of subsidy: CZK 2-125 million
• Support rate: 25% – 80% depending on the activities and size of the enterprise
• Call type: multiple rounds
• Receipt of applications: 1 September – 30 November 2022
• Number of applications: Large enterprises may submit a maximum of 2 applications, SME a maximum of 3 applications.

Innovations

• Programme focus: Support of programmes bringing new or innovated products, technologies or services into production or onto the market. Supported activities include for example product innovation (e.g. strengthening of technical and utility values of products, technologies and services).
• Who may apply for the subsidy: SME, small mid-caps (up to 500 employees)
• Amount of allocation: CZK 1 billion
• Amount of subsidy: CZK 1-40 million
• Support rate: 20% – 60% depending on the size of the enterprise and the place of implementation
• Call type: multiple rounds
• Receipt of applications: 1 September – 30 November 2022
• Number of applications: unlimited

Energy savings

• Programme focus: Support of projects focused on the reduction of companies’ energy intensity, e.g. by reconstruction and modernisation of facilities for energy production for own consumption, electricity, gas and heat distribution systems, modernisation of lighting systems in buildings, reduction of energy intensity of production and technology processes or use of waste energy in production processes.
• Who may apply for the subsidy: SME, large enterprises
• Amount of allocation: CZK 10 billion
• Amount of subsidy: CZK 500 thousand – CZK 200 million
• Support rate: 35% – 65% depending on the size of the enterprise and the place of implementation
• Call type: continuous
• Receipt of applications: 1 September – 30 November 2022
• Number of applications: unlimited

Furthermore, calls have been launched for the following: acquisition and installation of wind-power plants (receipt of applications until 1 February 2024), patent representatives’ services – Innovation vouchers (receipt of applications until 31 December 2023) or verification of the potential of research and development results before they are put into practise and on the market – Proof of concept (receipt of applications until 30 November 2022).