The ministry received 141 applications, of which 114 were reviewed, and more than half of them were approved. The total value of projects stands at EUR 52.9m, with co-funding by the state standing at EUR 19.85m.
This means that companies will have to invest EUR 2.5 for each euro of state aid, Urban Krajcar of the ministry's department for structural funds for science and technology told the press in Ljubljana.
The funds for co-financing have been secured by the Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry and the Economy Ministry, with each ministry contributing EUR 10m, added outgoing Minister Igor Luksic.
The call for applications, 85% of which will be covered from the EU budget, is intended for junior researchers from the industry, interdisciplinary groups and experts in companies, according to Edita Granatir Lapuh, the head of the Directorate for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness.
"This is probably the most innovative call for applications in the last three years," added the head of the Science and Technology Directorate Jana Kolar.
"The call is focused on the needs of R&D departments in the most R&D propulsive companies in Slovenia," Luksic said, adding that the ministry would strive to secure additional funds and carry out a new call for applications next May.
The ministry is glad that 72% of the companies that have been awarded funds are micro or small companies, and that funds will be distributed equally in all Slovenian statistical regions.
SOURCE: The Slovenia Times
