Two Million Euros for Innovation Development – Open Public Calls of the Innovation Fund of Montenegro

Four support programs available to enterprises, startups, researchers, and educational institutions across Montenegro.

In order to further strengthen the innovation ecosystem and develop an innovation culture in Montenegro, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro announces a Public Call for four support programs, with a total value of €2 million. The support programs are intended for enterprises, startups, researchers, and educational institutions across Montenegro, with the aim of supporting the development of innovations at all stages, from idea validation to the commercialization of a product or service.

Through these programs, the Fund not only provides financial support but also actively contributes to connecting science and the economy and building a functional innovation ecosystem in which ideas can grow into sustainable and competitive solutions.

The programs enable users to develop innovative ideas, improve competitiveness, and contribute to the development of the innovation community in Montenegro.

Interested parties can apply for the following support programs:

1. Program for Strengthening the Innovativeness of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises

   Total budget: €1,300,000
   Grant amount: €50,000 – €200,000

   This program line encourages cooperation between micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and scientific research organizations. The focus is on projects that contribute to the development of new products, services, technologies, or processes.

2. Early-Stage Startup Development Support Program

   Total budget: €400,000
   Grant amount: up to €35,000

   It is intended to improve the startup community in Montenegro through support for the growth and development of teams, existing and new startup enterprises. Teams or existing startup enterprises developing solutions with high market growth potential can apply for the program. The Fund's grant of up to €35,000 per project provides not only financial but also mentoring support, which is extremely important at this stage of development.    

3. Encouraging Innovation Culture

   Total budget: €100,000

   Grant amount:  up to €8,000

   This program line supports the organization of events, competitions, innovative ideas, and other activities aimed at developing creativity and innovativeness that promote an innovation culture.

4. Implementation of Educational Programs in Smart Specialization Areas

   Total budget: €200,000
   Grant amount: up to €10,000

   The program aims to achieve a continuous contribution to the growth of Montenegro's competitiveness and the building of an innovation and knowledge-based economy through the engagement of prominent professionals, scientists, innovators, and/or entrepreneurs from the country and abroad, who, in a structured form, through training lasting up to six months, could contribute to improving the knowledge and skills of young people (pupils, students, young researchers, and professionals).

“Innovations emerge where there is knowledge, courage, and support. Our task is to make that support accessible and real. Through these programs, we want to help everyone developing new ideas, from researchers and startups to companies, to develop their projects into sustainable solutions that can find a place in the market. We believe that this opens up new opportunities, strengthens competitiveness, and builds a knowledge-based economy,” stated Katarina Lalović, Acting Executive Director of the Innovation Fund of Montenegro.

The public calls and the necessary application documentation are available on the Fund's official website: www.fondzainovacije.me.

The Innovation Fund is organizing info days and online information sessions for potential applicants, with the aim of providing a more detailed introduction to the opportunities the programs offer.

Info days will be held in the following cities:

• Podgorica – Science and Technology Park, May 13 at 10:00 AM
• Nikšić – Tehnopolis, May 15 at 11:00 AM

The info day in Podgorica will be organized in a hybrid format, meaning it will also be possible to follow it online.

Online information sessions will be held every Wednesday, starting May 20, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, via the Zoom platform. The access link will be published on the Fund's website and social networks.

…IDEAS PAY OFF!
www.fondzainovacije.me

For all current calls, trainings, and information, interested parties can stay informed via the Fund's website and follow posts on social networks: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Podgorica, May 5, 2026