On 28 October 2014 the European Commission approved the Operational Programme Research and Innovation for programme period 2014 - 2020.
The Operational Programme Research and Innovation is a joint programme document of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic for the aid from the European Structural and Investment Funds in the programme period 2014 - 2020 in the area focused on creating a stable environment favourable to innovation for all relevant actors and to help increasing the efficiency and performance of research, development and innovation system as an essential pillar to boost competitiveness, sustainable economic growth and employment.
The Operational Programme Research and Innovation follows the Operational Programme Research and Development and the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Economic Growth from the programme period 2007 – 2013.
The total allocation for OP R&I from EU sources is EUR 2,266,776,537.00 of which more than three quarters of all funds are intended to strengthen research, technological development and innovation, and the rest is allocated to support the enhancement of SMEs´ competitiveness.
Managing Authority (MA) for OP R&I was the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the SR (MESRS of the SR) and Intermediate Bodies (IB) are the Research Agency and the Ministry of Economy of the SR.
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After merging the former Operational Programme Research and Innovation (OPVaI) into the Operational Program Integrated Infrastructure (OPII), the Research Agency continues to implement demand-oriented projects, especially in the field of research (former OPVaI projects) under Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the managing authority of The Ministry of Transport and Construction.
Effective from 13th of Dec 2019 The Europen Commission decided to approve the merger of the Operational Programme Integrated Infrastructure with the Operational Programme Research and Innovation during period 2014-2020. The wording of the priority axes aimed to support the research, development and innovation and their content focus remain after the merge without any change.
