Deadline: 16- Jan-2026
Deadline: January-The Agency for the Support of Research and Development opens new doors for research and innovation by inviting project proposals from all areas of research and development.
The main goal of this bilateral cooperation initiative is to strengthen and expand scientific and technological collaboration between institutions. Through this program, researchers and organizations can establish new partnerships or deepen existing ones while engaging in meaningful joint activities. The projects are expected to include preparation of joint international initiatives, publications, active participation in scientific events, shared use of laboratories and instruments, collection of research materials, and the involvement of Ph.D. students and young researchers.
The program provides an opportunity for researchers to collaborate across borders while enhancing the quality and visibility of their work. Each project may begin implementation on August 1, 2026, and can run for a maximum duration of twenty-four months. This timeframe offers researchers ample opportunity to plan and execute their studies effectively, contributing to the growth of international scientific cooperation and innovation.
The total funding available for the SK-BG 2025 call is set at 72,000 euros, allocated for the entire project period. Each approved project may receive a maximum of 7,200 euros for its full duration. The availability of funds depends on the approval of the state budget of the Slovak Republic and its allocation to the responsible agency. The funding must be used in line with relevant national legislation, ensuring that resources are directed toward research activities rather than capital investments in new equipment or infrastructure.
Strict eligibility and procedural requirements have been established to ensure transparency and accountability. Each project must have one Principal Investigator, who can only participate as a lead researcher in a single application. Any researcher attempting to submit multiple applications as a Principal Investigator will be disqualified. Furthermore, research staff must not exceed a total of 2,000 working hours per year across all projects. To ensure quality and traceability, the Principal Investigator must be registered in one of the recognized scientific databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, or ORCID, with a verified and publicly accessible profile.
Compliance with data protection laws is also an integral part of the application process. The agency will handle personal data such as names, titles, positions, and dates of birth of researchers solely for identification and contractual purposes, in accordance with European and national data protection regulations.
The funding rules differentiate between business and non-business entities. Non-business organizations can receive up to 100% of eligible costs for basic or applied research. However, business entities or organizations classified as enterprises under European law will receive support under specific state aid regulations, ensuring compliance with EU competition policies.
The agency also enforces accountability for past project performance. Principal Investigators who have previously led projects evaluated as insufficient, or whose projects were terminated due to breaches of funding agreements, will be barred from applying for a period of three years. This measure promotes responsible project management and integrity in research practices.
Through the SK-BG 2025 call, the Slovak Research and Development Agency continues to promote excellence in science and innovation. By fostering international collaboration, supporting young researchers, and encouraging the sharing of knowledge and resources, this initiative plays a vital role in strengthening the European research landscape and driving forward scientific progress.
For more information, visit Agency for the Support of Research and Development.
