Czech national research funding agency that co-finances transnational ERA-NET calls and leads SME innovation exploitation initiatives.
The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR) is the national research funding agency responsible for managing and distributing public R&D funding across Czech research priorities. Within H2020, TAČR participates primarily in ERA-NET Cofund actions, co-financing transnational research calls that align Czech national funding with European research agendas in areas like materials, energy, environment, and quantum technologies. They also coordinate projects focused on improving how SME innovation results are exploited and how research funding organisations operate more effectively. Their core value lies in being the gateway to Czech national co-funding for any ERA-NET or transnational research initiative.
12 of 17 projects are ERA-NET Cofunds spanning materials (M-ERA.NET 2, M-ERA.NET3), ICT (CHIST-ERA III/IV), environment (BiodivClim, BiodivRestore, AquaticPollutants), energy (EnerDigit), quantum (QuantERA II), nanomedicine (EuroNanoMed III), gender (GENDER NET Plus), and raw materials (ERA-MIN3).
Coordinated both LEEP-SME and GO-SME, focused on improving how SME project results are brought to market and sharing best practices among funding organisations.
Participated in NewHoRRIzon (responsible research and innovation), GEECCO (gender equality in engineering), and PRO-Ethics (ethics in funding organisations).
Recent participation in BiodivClim, BiodivRestore, AquaticPollutants, and ERA-MIN3 signals growing alignment of Czech funding with EU Green Deal priorities.
QuantERA II (EUR 533,762) is their second-largest funded project, covering quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing.
In the early period (2016–2018), TAČR focused on established ERA-NET domains — materials research, nanomedicine, ICT/FET — alongside strong engagement in gender equality and responsible research governance. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted markedly toward environmental themes: biodiversity, aquatic pollutants, circular economy, and ecosystem restoration, reflecting alignment with the European Green Deal. Simultaneously, they expanded into quantum technologies and energy digitalisation while taking on coordinator roles in SME innovation support, suggesting a strategic push beyond passive ERA-NET participation toward actively shaping how research results reach the market.
TAČR is increasingly channeling Czech co-funding toward Green Deal-aligned ERA-NETs and actively working on closing the gap between research results and market application for SMEs.
TAČR operates almost exclusively as a participant (15 of 17 projects), which is typical for a national funding agency joining ERA-NET consortia — their role is to commit national co-funding rather than lead research. With 168 unique partners across 45 countries, they maintain one of the broadest partner networks possible, reflecting the nature of ERA-NETs where every participating country sends its funding agency. Their two coordinator roles (LEEP-SME, GO-SME) are notably in CSA projects about improving funding practices, where their expertise as an RFO makes them a natural lead.
TAČR has collaborated with 168 unique partners across 45 countries, an exceptionally wide network driven by the multi-country nature of ERA-NET Cofund actions. Their reach extends well beyond Europe through international cooperation ERA-NETs like M-ERA.NET and ERA-MIN3.
TAČR is the primary Czech gateway for any ERA-NET or transnational co-funded research call — partnering with them means access to Czech national R&D co-funding. Unlike research institutes or universities, they don't perform research themselves but control funding allocation, making them essential for any consortium that needs Czech participation with national co-financing. Their rare coordinator roles in SME exploitation projects also show they are building institutional expertise in bridging research-to-market gaps, not just writing checks.
