Funding for R&D or market penetration?
EU jargon often refers to something called TRL. This stands for Technology Readiness Level. TRLs are a method of estimating the maturity of technologies, originally developed by NASA in the 1970’s. The EU prefers to use the same technique in some of its funding instruments.
As a general rule but naturally with exceptions, the projects that start from the lower levels of TRL (1-4) are usually led by universities and research institutions. However, there are companies in the consortiums responsible for testing and other important tasks for the projects. The projects that are higher in the TRL scale, are usually for close-to-market innovations and scaling up. These types of consortium projects have often large enterprises as a consortium leader.
What KIND OF fUnding is available for each development stage?
How ready is your innovation?
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: To reach this TRL level, you need to have the basic principles of technology observed and reported, but applied research or development has not been initiated.
Medical research: The basic principles of technology are observed and reported, but applied research or development has not been initiated.
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: To reach this TRL level you have some basic principles observed and you have started R&D, but applications are still speculative.
Medical research: Some basic principles were observed and R&D has started, but applications are still speculative.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s RIA calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: To reach this TRL level you need to have experimental and analytical studies conducted to validate the predictions on the technology. These studies provide a preliminary technology proof of concept, performed in the laboratory.
Medical research: Experimental and analytical studies were conducted to validate the predictions on the technology. These studies provide a preliminary technology proof of concept, performed in the laboratory. In biomedical technologies, ’in vitro’ tests fit in this stage.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s RIA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: At this stage, the basic technological components are designed, developed and integrated to verify that they are compatible. In the case of software products, this is the stage of ‘alpha tests’.
Medical research: At this stage, the basic technological components are designed, developed and integrated to verify that they are compatible.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s RIA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: Integration of the technological components and testing of their applications in a realistic environment. This step corresponds to the validation of system or process components in software products.
Medical research: Integration of the technological components and testing of their applications in a realistic environment. This step corresponds to the pre-clinical trials in the pharma sector.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s RIA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: Evaluation of the prototype or representative model in a relevant environment. This step corresponds to a ’beta’ version.
Medical research: Evaluation of the prototype or representative model in a relevant environment. In the pharmaceutical sector, this step corresponds to the first phase of clinical trials, while in the medical devices sector, it corresponds to the safety demonstration of the device.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s RIA calls, IA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: Evaluation of the prototype in a operating environment, similar to the real one. The final prototype product design and testing.
Medical research: Evaluation of the prototype in an operating environment, similar to the real one. The second phase of clinical trials fits in this TRL as well as the final prototype product design and testing in medical devices.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s IA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: In a real system, the technology proved to be in accordance with the conditions specified. In software, it corresponds to a pre-commercial demonstration.
Medical research: In a real system, the technology proved to be in accordance with the conditions specified. In biomedical projects, this stage corresponds to the third phase of clinical trials.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s IA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe, Innovation Fund
Definition of this TRL level:
Software: The system incorporates the new technology in its final form and had applied it in actual application conditions. It is ready for commercialisation.
Medical research: The system incorporates the new technology in its final form and had applied it in actual application conditions. It is ready for commercialisation.
Examples of possible EU funding programmes: Clusters’ and Partnership’s IA calls, KDT calls, CBE calls of Horizon Europe, Innovation Fund