Grants for cluster operations

We can only provide grants for cluster operations to innovation clusters where the collaboration is formalised through a cluster organisation. Norwegian Innovation Clusters (NIC) and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) meet this definition.

Innovation clusters are structured, systematic collaborations between companies, R&D institutions, catapult centres and other relevant stakeholders. Their purpose is to encourage greater innovation activity, competence transfer, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise among cluster members.

The cluster organisation (established as an independent legal entity) receives grants for cluster operations on behalf of the innovation cluster.

Grants for cluster operations cover operating costs incurred by the cluster organisation (i.e. the cluster facilitator). These include:

1. Mobilising/launching the cluster
Activities related to organising the collaboration, planning, initial meetings and engagement activities for potential members, preparing the necessary basis for the cluster's strategy and direction, holding strategy workshops, drafting agreements between the parties, and developing strategies and action plans, etc.

2. Promotion and marketing of the cluster

Activities related to promoting the cluster externally through websites, social media, trade fairs and conferences, as well as direct engagement with businesses to recruit new members.

3. Management of the cluster's facilities

Where the cluster manages shared infrastructure, laboratories, meeting rooms, innovation platforms or other shared facilities, this includes activities related to developing, operating, maintaining and administering these facilities. The facilities must be openly accessible, and user fees must reflect the costs.

4. Planning and facilitation of training, workshops and conferences (Note: Delivery is not included)

Planning various training programmes, thematic workshops, seminars, conferences and study visits for cluster members and potential external participants, as well as international collaboration. This also includes collaboration between clusters, in line with the definition of innovation clusters. Please note that this scheme does not cover the delivery of these activities. Such activities may instead be eligible for support through the 'Innovation support for SMEs' scheme.

Other eligible costs:

Approved costs also include project management, financial management and reporting related to the activities above. Eligible costs include the innovation cluster organisation's direct salary costs, indirect costs, overheads, travel costs and meeting expenses, as well as external consultancy services, services invoiced by innovation cluster members engaged to plan the activities mentioned above, and other costs directly related to operating the innovation cluster.

Public funding can cover up to 50% of the approved cost base. Cluster participants must fund the remaining 50% themselves. Funding from private third parties and the EU may count towards this contribution. When calculating the permitted level of state aid, you must include support from other public sources.

If cluster participants provide services to the cluster organisation, they must invoice these services in accordance with applicable accounting rules. In-kind contributions and participants' unbilled work cannot count as self-financing.

Support may be granted for up to 10 years from the date operating support was first awarded, regardless of any interruptions in public funding. The maximum cumulative support for a cluster is EUR 10 million.

The grant is conditional on the cluster organisation and the planned activities qualifying under Article 27 of the State aid rules – Aid for innovation clusters.

We provide support for cluster operations in the following cases:

• Following a call for cluster proposals. The criteria for selecting clusters are set out in a separate programme description. Following the call and pre-qualification process, selected innovation clusters can apply for grants to support cluster operations. The cluster organisation (facilitator) must submit the grant application.
• As a result of the EDIH pre-qualification process. Two Norwegian EDIHs (consortia) receive EU funding for 50% of the costs associated with approved work packages and planned services for Norwegian companies. EDIHs can apply for grants for cluster operations to co-finance certain work packages.
• Business networks organised as 'mini' innovation clusters. These applications will not form part of calls for cluster proposals, but will result from a separate pre-qualification process. Such business networks must meet the definition of 'innovation clusters' under state aid rules.

The cluster organisation submits the application via My page.