Economic entities can receive vouchers of up to 100,000 lei to purchase consulting services and scientific expertise from research and development organizations
The National Agency for Research and Development (NAID) has launched the "Innovation Vouchers" project competition for 2026, with a total budget of 1 million lei. The funds will be used to finance projects involving the procurement by economic entities of consulting services and scientific expertise from research and innovation organizations to implement innovations in their business activities. According to the agency, the competition is focused on projects within the Smart Moldova 2024-2027 program and includes the following areas: agriculture and agro-processing, IT and communications, energy, biomedicine, and biopharmaceuticals. Projects can also be submitted under the National Research and Innovation Program's priorities, covering healthcare, food security, biotechnology, ecology, societal challenges, innovative technologies, sustainable energy, and digitalization. The maximum amount of one innovation voucher is 100,000 lei from the state budget, with mandatory co-financing by the beneficiary amounting to 20% of the requested amount. Projects must be implemented within 6-12 months. Eligible activities include research services for the implementation of innovative ideas, the development of new algorithms and methods, patent support, product certification, laboratory testing, technological audits, prototyping, and the exploration of new technologies and business ideas. However, the voucher does not cover expenses on marketing, advertising, training, corporate consulting, the purchase of production equipment, or other activities not directly related to research and innovation. Projects can be submitted electronically through the agency's website; details are available by link. The agency noted that the competition will be ongoing through 2026, and unused funds may be reallocated to other competition programs. // 16.03.2026 — InfoMarket
