PRIME Project – Science Commercialization Support

CALL CLOSING DATE: 13.02.2025

The PRIME Project is aimed at scientists working in Polish research organisations who, by forming project teams, want to verify the market potential, as well as develop and implement the most appropriate commercialisation path for their ideas, including through the set-up of a spin-off.

The project is run in partnership by the Foundation for Polish Science and Oxentia Ltd.

The project receives funding through the European Funds for Smart Economy (FENG) programme.

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NEWS

Information about the update of the Regulations of call for Phase 1 and Selection for Phase 2 of the PRIME Project

PRIME project – first call for applications launched

PRIME Project – new call opening date

Watch the video of the information meeting about the call no. 1/2024 for the PRIME Project (meeting held on line 17.12.2024)

PRIME project – announcement of the first call for proposals

Good performance in intellectual assets but low in innovation: How can Poland improve its competitiveness? The FNP emphasizes the importance of research commercialization

Goals

The PRIME grant project will support teams in:

Development of cooperation, commercialisation and business skills
Identification and verification of market needs and market readiness of the solution
Development of the most appropriate commercialisation path and its implementation
Expand their industry networks and create strategic partnerships
Setting up and running a spin-off

The PRIME project is divided into three Phases.

Phase I (6 months) is targeted at increasing the competencies of the team members and the initial market validation of the defined commercialisation subject.

Phase II (12 months) is mainly focused on in-depth market verification of the solution, design of the product development and commercialisation strategy and search for an audience.

Phase III (12 months) is dedicated to spin-off companies established as a result of Phase II. The companies will follow an individual company and product development plan.

Addressees

The Applicants for Phase I are research organisations within which Project Teams consisting of:

The Scientific Leader who acts as the main executor of the Grant – the creator or co-creator of the intellectual property that is the basis of the commercialisation subject. This person is the main implementer of the product development and commercialisation vision,
Business Leader – a person who supports the Scientific Leader in relations with the market and market validation of the object of commercialisation,
Technology Transfer Supervisor – the person who supports the Scientific Leader in the development of the commercialisation strategy and is responsible for the development and implementation of the intellectual property protection pathway.

The tasks dedicated to the team members complement each other and are carried out in mutual collaboration.

Researchers at any stage of their research career, including before obtaining a degree, can apply for a grant in the PRIME action.

Applicants to Phase III are companies established as a result of the Project implementing the commercialisation strategy developed by the Team during Phases I and II.

Offer

Participants in the Project will have the access to a wide range of training and workshops, Bootcamp carried out in Poland and the UK, business mentoring and tailor-made expert consultancy.

Under the PRIME Project, funding can be obtained for:

In Phase I, to cover the working time related to the tasks implementing the objective of the Phase (hourly unit rate);

In Phase II, to cover the working time related to the implementing the objective of the Phase (hourly unit rate) and the necessary business trips (up to PLN 20,000);

In Phase III – for the implementation of an individual product and company development plan (up to PLN 940,000);

One Grant under Phase I and Phase II may receive funding up to a maximum of PLN 313,904. One Applicant may receive grant support up to a limit of PLN 942,060 under the entire PRIME Project. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis for a maximum of 18 months.

The thematic scope of projects that can receive funding is not limited to particular scientific fields but refers to the priorities included in the list of National Smart Specialisations.

Procedure

Submission of applications

The grant application must be submitted in accordance with the Application Filling Manual, in electronic form only, via the FNP IT system.

The applicable documents will be available on the PRIME Project website.

Assessment of applications

The application assessment process includes three stages: formal assessment and two stages of substantive assessment. Formal assessment is performed by FNP employees. After a positive formal assessment, the application is directed to substantive assessment.

In the first stage of the substantive assessment, the evaluation is carried out in the form of reviews by two external scientific and economic experts with relevant scientific achievements or experience in the implementation of innovative solutions on the market.

The second stage of the substantive assessment is carried out in the form of an interview with the Team and is conducted by the Foundation’s internal experts and Oxentia with the possible participation of external experts.

The evaluation is carried out in accordance with the criteria attached to the Competition Documentation. Conditions of participation are the same for all participants and are described in detail in the Competition Documentation for the Project.