The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic has set the date for the announcement of sub-objective 3 of the new SIGMA programme for 26 October 2022.

The intention of sub-objective 3 is to strengthen the social sciences, humanities and arts (SHUV) in applied research and innovation activities and to apply the outputs of these activities in the form of new or substantially improved products, processes, procedures or services. The sub-objective builds on the activities of the ÉTA Programme.

The aim of the SIGMA programme is to support applied research and innovation leading to the creation of new results applicable in practice, to address the challenges and needs of society and the economy and to support the solution of systemic measures of the research and innovation environment.

It is the only, comprehensive and long-term instrument of TACR to support applied research projects. The duration of the programme is 2022-2029 for eight years, after 2029 it is expected to be extended.

The total expenditure on the programme is CZK 9 billion. The intensity of support will be up to 100%, but on average 80% (to be specified with each competition).

The following sub-objectives have been defined:

DC1 - Pre-application research activities
DC2 - Early career researchers and equal opportunities (continuation of the ZÉTA programme)
DC3 - Promoting the innovation potential of the social sciences, humanities and arts (SHUV) (continuation of the ÉTA programme)
DC4 - International cooperation (continuation of DELTA2 and ERA-NET)
DC5 - Cross-cutting support (current R&D needs, long-term R&D objectives, regional innovation, systemic measures)

The competition parameters are still under preparation and will be published on the TAČR website.

A representative of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic will present the challenges prepared under the new programme on 5th October 2022 at 9.00. The event will take place in a hybrid format. Information about the event and the application form for attendance can be found here.