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In the framework of the Business Incubation Programme (2009-2014, €2.7m) the development of business incubation is supported, along with raising the competence level of service providers and the establishment of an investor network with both local and foreign partners. The general objective of the programme is to support the establishment of enterprises with growth potential, and their sustainable development, in order to ensure that they are viable and independent when leaving the incubator.

The general objective of the programme is to improve the competitiveness of Estonia in the European research and innovation area, and to foster and maintain excellence in research and development activities by developing a small number of centres of excellence in the areas considered a priority from the viewpoint of economic growth. The total budget of the measure is about €46.5m during 2008-2014, and support is given in grants via open calls. The measure will be continued in the 2014-2020 programming period.

The Estonian energy technology programme was part of the operational plan for the Estonian research, development and innovation strategy “Knowledge-Based Estonia 2007-2013”. The aim of this programme is to support basic and applied research in R&D institutions that correspond to the objectives of the programme, building infrastructure and promote participation in international energy programmes. The development areas of the programme are: oil shale technology; new energy technologies, mainly based on renewable energy sources; nuclear energy. The overall budget (2008-2013) was €7.5m.

The Estonian national biotechnology programme is a part of the operational plan for the Estonian research, development and innovation (RDI) strategy “Knowledge-Based Estonia 2007-2013”. The main goal is to stimulate the development of biotechnology firms that create higher value added and productivity in business areas that have the potential to significantly increase the export of innovative products and services.

The programme "Start-up Estonia" (2011-2015, co-financed by ERDF) is designed to develop a start-up ecosystem by providing training and mentoring to new start up companies and by "activation" of business angels in Estonia. The programme was updated in 2014 and will run until the end of 2015. A start-up programme is also envisaged for the 2014-2020 programming period.

The environmental protection and technology R&D programme (2011-2015) concentrates on analysing and preventing research-based environmental risks and on developing sustainable technologies. The projects implemented in this programme address, for example, applied research on ecosystem matter cycles and conditions of biodiversity, innovative environmental-technological solutions and risk analysis encompassing environmental hazards in Estonia.

The Estonian health care programme is a part of the implementation plan of the Estonian research and development and innovation strategy “Knowledge-based Estonia 2007-2013”. The programme is implemented between 2011 and 2015. The TerVE programme mainly concentrates on activities that are important for advancing the national health care system, including the quality of health information. The programme is designed to raise health consciousness among Estonians and to sustainably improve the nation’s health indicators on the basis of the best science-based knowledge. The TerVE programme is mainly aimed at institutions of higher education and research institutions.

The programme (2011-2015) is a cooperation programme between the universities, ICT sector and the state with the aim to raise the quality of ICT and develop cooperation between different partners. The objectives of the programme are to raise the quality and capability of ICT area research and development and to increase participation of Estonian universities and companies in (inter)national ICT area cooperation. The total budget of the measure is €4.8m.

An Industrial PhD project is a three-year industrially focused PhD project where the student is hired by a company and enrolled at a university at the same time. The industrial PhD programme is managed by Innovation Fund Denmark.

The Central Innovation Programme SME (ZIM) is an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and supports innovation activities by SMEs, including industry-science collaborations and technology transfer. ZIM is not limited to a particular industry or technology field. Criteria for financial support through ZIM are the innovation content and commercialisation potential of a project. SMEs can conduct project R&I in-house or collaborate with a university or research institute. ZIM also supports the creation of innovation networks across firm boundaries. The redefined ZIM guidelines have been published on 15 April 2015 and applications can be submitted continuously until 31 December 2019.

EXIST is a programme of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) aimed at 1) establishing a lasting culture of entrepreneurship at universities and research establishments, 2) supporting consistent transfer of scientific knowledge into commercial output and 3) increasing the number of technology and knowledge based company formations. EXIST includes three different programme lines, called "Culture of Entrepreneurship", "Business Start-Ups Grants" and "Transfer of Research". EXIST has been reformed in December 2014 with increases in available funds. The EXIST programme is part of the German New High-Tech Strategy for Germany and is co-financed by funding of the European Social Fund (ESF).

The programme Support to the Implementation of Doctoral Programmes (2009-2015) has been developed in line with the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 The goal of this programme is to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education by promoting renewal of the academic and research staff of universities and research institutes. The programme aims to increase the number of doctoral students and the number of graduates of doctoral programmes. The programme is implemented in 18 universities. A total of €53m are to be allocated in 2009-2015 for the programme. It is co-financed by the European Social Fund (93.35%). Funds are made available in the form of grants

The Programme aims at increasing the competitiveness of businesses and at facilitating cooperation of research and industrial sectors in the implementation of industrial research and in new product and technology development projects. The Programme is financed by the EU SFs and will continue for six years: 2010-2015. At the beginning of 2011, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia has concluded agreements on granting support to six competence centres (pharmacy and chemical industry; information and communication technologies; forestry; manufacturing of electric and optical equipment; environmental, bioenergetics, and biotechnological sector; transport and engineering industry). The total public support to the six approved projects by 2015 is €53.2m.

The law enables the Government to award aid for RDI to enterprises and research organisations under the following schemes and measures: 1) research and development projects or programmes; 2) technical feasibility studies; 3) protection of technical industrial property; 4) aid for young innovative enterprises; 5) innovation advisory services and innovation support services; 6) temporary secondment of highly qualified personnel; 7) process and organisational innovation in services; 8) investment in innovation clusters and animation of innovation clusters; 9) "de minimis" measures. The law is intended to increase both public and private investment in R&D and replaces the former Law on State Aid for Resarch, Development and Innovation.

The measure aims at the improvement of knowledge and technology transfer conditions in Lithuania and facilitation of business and science partnerships. Clusters are defined as agglomerations of at least five private legal entities, connected in the value chain and sharing common economic interests. R&D institutions have to participate in a cluster, in order to facilitate achievement of its economic objectives. Investments will be earmarked for the support of activities related to the formation of clusters in the identified technological “breakthrough” areas. Investment of cluster coordinators into a cluster’s training and research centre infrastructure, and a cluster’s joint (open source) R&D infrastructure (laboratories, testing labs, and the like) is supported.

The measure aims to increase the number of researchers and the attractiveness of careers in research, as foreseen in the Operational Programme of Human Resources Development 2007-2013. Specifically, the objective of the measure is to create and implement a young researchers talent mapping system and implement the concept of equal rights in science. The specific activities supported are: development of easily accessible information systems, teacher-young researcher mentor support, the initiation of national informal activities of young researchers; support for intergation of talented pupils in R&D activities; support to equal rights in science. The overall budget of the measure is €6.8m.

The measure Idea LT aims to increase R&D activities in the business sector. It supports preparatory activites for the implementation of R&D projects in enterprises, namely, R&D project feasibility studies and risk assessments. The overall budget of the measure is €4.2m. The measure is administered by the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LVPA). Eligible applicants (private companies) can apply for grants following the competitive grants procedure. The projects are selected according to the predefined criteria and evaluated by at least two external evaluators.

The measure aims to strengthen the Lithuanian Innovation System and to develop an effective knowledge and technology transfer environment, which would support innovation and R&D in business and facilitate business and science partnerships in R&D activities. Overall budget of the measure is €6.4m. Eligible applicants (public non-profit entities meeting the eligibility criteria) can apply for grants following the competitive grants procedure (the projects are selected according to predefined criteria and evaluated by at least two contracted evaluators). By January 2012, almost 100% of the total budget was reserved for selected projects, about 80% of total budget was allocated for project implementation.