RDI Voucher for Business Development
The Research, Development and Innovation Voucher (RDI Voucher) offers micro and SME companies up to 10 000 € in support for collaboration projects with higher education institutions in the Turku region regardless of industry. The support can cover up to 50 % of the project costs.
RDI Voucher lowers the threshold to start impactful cooperation with universities, helping your company grow and strengthen its business development.
Now is the perfect time to seize the opportunity and take your development ideas to the next level!
What is the RDI Voucher?
With the RDI Voucher, companies can start collaborating with universities, test new ideas, develop products or services, and strengthen their competitiveness.
Companies can receive up to 10 000 € in funding, covering a maximum of 50 % of the costs of a research, development, and innovation project. This means the total budget of a joint project can be up to 20 000 €.
The voucher can be used for example to:
- Commission theses from higher education institutions
- Carry out research and development projects, for example to support product development or validation
- Utilise analysis and measurement services provided by universities
The voucher is funded by the City of Turku.
Selection criteria
RDI vouchers are available to micro and small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Turku region, regardless of industry. The detailed eligibility criteria are outlined below.
- The collaboration project between the company and a higher education institution funded by the RDI voucher must clearly support the company’s research and development (R&D) activities. To learn more about what constitutes R&D activities, please visit Statistics Finland’s website.
- The company must have an office in Turku or another strong connection to the Turku economic region.
- The company must qualify as a micro or SME (annual turnover of up to EUR 50 million and no more than 250 employees).
- The collaboration project must be carried out with one of the region’s higher education institutions: the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, or Novia University of Applied Sciences.
- The RDI voucher covers 50 % of the total project costs, with the company contributing the remaining 50 %.
- The use of the funding must begin within two months of the funding decision and be fully utilised within 12 months of the project start.
Companies that have previously received RDI voucher funding may apply again if the project concerns a substantially new research entity. The RDI voucher is granted as de minimis aid. RDI vouchers are available for application on an ongoing basis.
Applying
When your company identifies a research or development need, apply for an RDI voucher!
Please note the following before submitting your application:
- Once you have identified your development need, find a suitable research or development partner at a higher education institution in the Turku region.
- Discuss and agree on the RDI voucher project with a representative of the higher education institution before submitting the application.
- If needed, Business Turku’s experts support the start of the cooperation, for example by helping you find a suitable research group.
Applications are processed approximately once a month. You will receive confirmation of a possible approval shortly after the applications have been reviewed.
Project evaluation criteria
Company eligibility: The company must have an office in Turku or another clear and strong connection to the Turku economic region.
Research orientation and RDI focus: The project generates new knowledge, methods or solutions that support the development of the company’s RDI activities.
Impact: The project provides clear added value for the company’s growth, competitiveness and/or skills development.
Feasibility: A realistic project plan with sufficient financial and human resources.
Suitability of the cooperation: An appropriate higher education partner and a well-defined and focused collaboration project.
Novelty: The project represents a substantially new initiative compared to any previous RDI voucher projects.
