Innovation Concept Validation Programme and Support for Energy Efficiency in Industry
The Innovation Fund of Montenegro has opened two public calls, with a total of €1 million in funding available. The Innovation Concept Validation Programme provides €500,000 for companies and research organisations developing innovations at an early stage of research, while the Programme for Supporting Innovation for Energy Efficiency in Industry provides an additional €500,000 to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the metallurgy and metal-processing industries in introducing innovative technologies that will improve energy efficiency, establish energy management systems and contribute to new employment.
“These two programmes respond to different needs. One is intended for those who are still at the stage of validating an innovation concept, while the other is focused on companies in the manufacturing sector that want to improve production and energy efficiency through new technologies. It is important to us that the Fund’s support is directed towards concrete development needs and investments that can deliver results,” said Katarina Lalović, Executive Director of the Innovation Fund of Montenegro.
The Innovation Concept Validation Programme is intended for projects at an early stage of research, when it is necessary to determine whether a new process or technology is technically feasible and has the potential for further application and commercialisation. The programme covers projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 and 4, ranging from experimental proof of concept to laboratory validation of the technological concept.
A total of €500,000 has been allocated to the programme, while individual grants range from €20,000 to €40,000. The public call is open to companies and research organisations.
Support may cover the development of prototypes in a laboratory environment, demonstration of technical feasibility, verification and protection of intellectual property, market analysis and feasibility studies, as well as the preparation of concepts or strategies for further development and commercialisation.
The application deadline is 30 October 2026 at 15:00.
The Programme for Supporting Innovation for Energy Efficiency in Industry for 2026 is intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector operating in the fields of metallurgy and metal-processing, namely Classes 24, 25 and 28 according to the 2025 Classification of Activities.
A total of €500,000 has been allocated for the implementation of the programme, while individual grants range from €50,000 to €100,000, with support covering up to 80% of the total project value.
The programme will support investments in new equipment and technologies, smart and digital solutions for monitoring and managing energy consumption, process automation and control, the use of renewable energy sources, as well as the development of employees’ knowledge and capacities for energy management.
The programme is the result of several years of cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and the Ministry of Energy and Mining, while the Innovation Fund of Montenegro is responsible for its implementation.
This is the third cycle of the programme focused on improving energy efficiency in industry. A total of 21 projects were supported through the previous two cycles. Through these projects, companies invested in production modernisation, new technologies and equipment, digital and smart solutions, energy management systems, as well as the use of solar energy.
The application deadline is 19 October 2026 at 15:00.
The Innovation Fund will provide interested applicants with additional information and support throughout the duration of the public calls.
An Info Day will be held on Tuesday, 29 September, at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, starting at 9:00. The programmes, application requirements and project proposal submission process will be presented during the event, while participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive additional clarification. Participation in the Info Day must be confirmed via the online registration form. Registration link.
For those unable to attend, a recording of the Info Day will subsequently be published on the Innovation Fund of Montenegro’s YouTube channel.
Additional support will also be available through online “Open Doors” sessions, which the Fund will organise every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00 throughout the duration of the public calls, starting on Wednesday, 30 September. Zoom session link.
Applications for both public calls must be submitted electronically via www.programifonda.me.
Detailed information on the call requirements, eligible activities, required documentation and application procedures is available at www.fondzainovacije.me.
For all current calls, training opportunities and other information, interested parties can visit the Fund’s website (www.fondzainovacije.me) and follow the Fund’s social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
