On 15 May 2024, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (hereinafter referred to as „TA CR”) announced the eighth public call in the Programme for Support of Applied Research and Innovation SIGMA – sub-objective 4, bilateral cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “SIGMA – Bilateral cooperation”).
The announcement of the public call was published by TA CR in the Commercial Bulletin and the Information System for Research, Experimental Development, and Innovation.
This call is aimed at supporting international cooperation in the field of applied research through joint projects of Czech entities supported by TA CR and foreign partners with the support of foreign organizations.
Its main objective is to increase the number of outputs and results in areas that are promising for the future of the participating countries. Another objective is also to promote the transfer of international knowledge, share good practices, and facilitate the penetration of foreign markets.
TA CR also recommends the applicants to switch the language in ISTA to English via the appropriate flag icon in the top right corner after logging in. Only in such cases, the project application will be available in English to the whole extent.
Foreign partners must be based in one of the following localities:
| Locality | Foreign partner organization | Abbreviation |
| French Republic | French National Research Agency | ANR |
| Republic of Korea | Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning | KETEP |
| Republic of Korea | Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology | KIAT |
| Saxony, Federal Republic of Germany | Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport | SMWA |
| Taiwan | Ministry of Economic Affairs | MoEA |
| Taiwan | National Science and Technology Council | NSTC |
| United States of America | Department of Energy of the United States of America | DOE |
The Call Period begins on May 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. and ends on July 17, 2024, at the times indicated below:
- 16:29:59 – This is the latest possible time to submit a project proposal through the ISTA information system;
- 23:59:59 – is the latest possible moment to send the following documents via your data box:
- Confirmation of submission of the electronic project proposal, which must be sent by the lead applicant;
- Evidence of eligibility is to be sent by each applicant separately.
Data box ID TA CR: afth9xp
TA CR informs all users of the ISTA information system about the introduction of periodic downtimes due to the development of the SISTA shared information system. More information can be found here.
Detailed information necessary for the preparation and submission of the project proposal, including details on the evaluation method and criteria, can be found in the Call documentation and other documents associated with the call for proposals. The information system includes help sheets to assist you in completing the project proposal.
Do you have any questions? Check the FAQ (knowledge base). Should you fail to find an answer to your question, you are welcome to submit your inquiry via the HELPDESK. You can also contact the regional representatives of the TA CR.
TA CR will not organize any webinars for this public call. During the call period, TA CR will publish an information presentation on its website summarising the terms and conditions of the public call.
TA CR further informs applicants that it will only accept such project proposals whose applicants (i.e. the main applicant and another participant):
- publish the financial statements in the public register – for entities that have this obligation for a period of three years (2020, 2021, 2022);
- do not meet the definition of a company in difficulty;
- are registered in the register of beneficial owners by the end of the call period, i.e. by 17/07/2024;
- meet the other conditions set out in the Call documentation.
ELIMINATION OF CORRUPTING INFLUENCES
In order to eliminate corrupt influences during the call process, TA CR asks all applicants to inform the company immediately of any alleged corrupt activity of which they become aware. Notification, together with a description of the relevant facts, can make it much easier for the TA CR to identify and eliminate possible corrupt efforts. Complaints concerning suspicions of corrupt practices or other unfair activities may be notified according to the procedure on the website of TA CR.
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE 8TH CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Call documentation
Zadávací dokumentace (CZ)
Call documentation (EN)
Příloha č. 1 – Specifické podmínky jednotlivých zahraničních organizací (CZ)
Annex No. 1 – Specific conditions of individual foreign organizations (EN)
Příloha č. 2 – Hodnoticí proces (CZ)
Annex No. 2 – Evaluation process (EN)
Related documentation and forms
Common Proposal (EN)
General Terms and Conditions v8 (EN)
Smlouva o poskytnutí podpory (CZ)
Rozhodnutí o poskytnutí podpory (CZ)
Čestné prohlášení za uchazeče/Sworn statement of the applicant (CZ/EN)
Form Pre-existent knowledge (EN)
Formulář pro druh výsledku Nmet/Form for result of the Nmet type (CZ/EN)
Výzkumná data a otevřený přístup k výstupům/výsledkům (CZ)
Research data and open access to outputs/results (EN)
Plán správy dat – TA ČR (CZ)
Data Management Plan – TA CR (EN)
Plán správy dat – Horizont Evropa (CZ/EN)
Additional documentation
Program SIGMA (CZ)
SIGMA Programme (EN)
Karty tematických oblastí RIS3 strategie ČR (CZ)
Povinná publicita podpořených projektů TA ČR (CZ)
Použití anglického jazyka v realizaci (CZ)
Handbooks
Uživatelská příručka k definici malých a středních podniků (CZ)
User guide to the sme definition (EN)
Obecná příručka pro hodnotitele (CZ)
General guide for evaluators (EN)
The public call was announced in accordance with Act No. 130/2002 Coll., on support for research, experimental development, and innovation from public funds and amendments to certain related acts, in accordance with the Framework for State Aid for Research, Development, and Innovation 2014/C 198/01 and in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 of 17 June 2014.
15. 5. 2024