ADVISORY SERVICES FOR COMPANIES PREPARING R&D PROJECTS FOR INNOVATION IMPLEMENTATION
Assessment of project innovation
We assess the level of project innovation in terms of competition criteria, market advantages and implementation potential: type of innovation according to the Oslo Manual, technological maturity on the TRL scale and the scale of novelty in relation to the company, region, country and world.
We support companies in preparing R&D projects, technology implementations and new market services.
Oslo Manual and the TRL scale
Call criteria and KIS
Online consultations
An individual consultation is a separate service.
PRELIMINARY INNOVATION ASSESSMENT
What level of innovation does your project have?
Select answers to see the indicative novelty level, TRL range, and directions for further verification.
The result will appear after all answers have been provided.
TWO STARTING POINTS
Match the assessment to the stage of your project
An innovation assessment is needed both by companies that are preparing an application and need to demonstrate the level of novelty, and by those that are just checking whether the idea has innovative potential.
Are you preparing an R&D project or implementing an innovation?
We verify whether the solution meets the innovation criteria of a specific call and prepare arguments for the evaluators.
- Determining the type of innovation and the scale of novelty in relation to the call criteria
- Determining the entry and target TRL and the scope of R&D work
- Benchmarking competitive solutions on measurable parameters
- Selection of a financing instrument for an R&D project or implementation
Do you want to check the innovative potential of an idea?
We assess whether the idea differs significantly from solutions available on the market and indicate what needs to be developed to become an innovation.
- Preliminary analysis of the state of the art and competitor offers
- Identifying the gap that R&D can fill
- Free Innovation Coach program and continuation at INNOSTART (NCBR)
- Business model and commercialization plan for the solution
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
How is project innovation measured?
Innovation assessment is based on three complementary dimensions: innovation type, technological maturity, and novelty scale. Each has its own methodology and sources of evidence.
Type of Innovation – Oslo Manual 2018
Innovation is the implementation of a new or improved product or business process that differs significantly from existing ones. The Handbook distinguishes two types: product innovation (a product or service introduced to the market) and business process innovation (a process introduced into use, including manufacturing, logistics, sales, information systems, and management). The minimum requirement is that it be new to the enterprise.
Maturity – TRL scale
Nine Technology Readiness Levels: from observation of basic principles (TRL 1) through prototypes tested in the laboratory and in real-world conditions to a system proven in an operational environment (TRL 9). The European Commission's definitions are used by PARP and NCBR. The entry and target TRLs determine the scope of R&D work; for non-R&D projects, the TRL scale is not used.
Scale of new products – company, region, country, world
Programs vary in their definition of the minimum level: the SMART track requires innovation at least on a national scale, while regional calls typically require innovation at least on a regional market scale, sometimes with a time limit on the solution's presence on the market. A solution new only to the company typically qualifies for investment instruments, not R&D competitions.
Base: Oslo Manual 2018 (OECD/Eurostat, Polish edition by the Central Statistical Office); TRL definitions from the European Commission Decision C(2017)7124 (Horizon 2020 programme, used in Horizon Europe); selection criteria for FENG projects and regional programmes. The use of TRL, benchmarking and other methods in documentation is described in the article Strategic methods for evaluating a project in a grant application.
SCOPE OF SERVICE
What does innovation assessment include?
The scope of work is tailored to the type of project and call for proposals. Typically, it includes:
Analysis of the state of the art
Overview of solutions available on the market, patent databases and publications.
Benchmarking
Comparison of the measurable parameters of the solution with the competition's offer and substitutes.
TRL and scope of work
Determining the baseline and target levels and dividing them into industrial research and development work.
Compliance with criteria
Assessment against call criteria, KIS or RIS and instrument recommendation.
Important: The advisory assessment does not replace an opinion on innovation if the call rules require such a document from an independent entity. However, it does assist in preparing the evidence on which the opinion and application are based.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
What do evaluators take into account?
Experts evaluate innovation based on evidence, not statements. Six elements are repeated in most applications.
Type of innovation
Product or business process-related, consistent with the project description and results.
The scale of new things
Company, region, country or world – in accordance with the minimum requirements in the call for proposals.
Period of presence on the market
Since when the solution or its equivalents have been used; some calls for proposals specify a limit of years.
Evidence
Research results, prototypes, patent applications and documented output TRL.
Measurable advantages
Technical, cost or operational parameters better than competitive solutions.
Implementation potential
Market demand, commercialization plan and compliance with KIS or RIS.
Don't overstate your output TRL. The declared level must be based on documentation: research results, test reports, prototype descriptions, and verification conditions. Overestimating the level of R&D work may lead to questioning the scope of the work.
A novelty only for the company does not meet the criteria of R&D competitions. The purchase and implementation of technology available on the market is an innovation on an enterprise scale and qualifies for investment instruments, e.g. grants for digitization and automation.
LEVELS OF INNOVATION
Company, region, country or world?
The scale of the novelty determines which instruments are available and what evidence must be provided.
| Level | What does it mean? | How to document | Where usually required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undertaking | A new or significantly improved solution for the company; a minimum innovation requirement according to the Oslo Manual | Comparison with the company's existing offer or processes | Investment instruments, loans, consulting; some regional call for proposals |
| Region | A solution not used by companies in the regional market or used for a short time | Analysis of competitors' offers in the region; opinion on innovation in selected calls for proposals | Implementation of innovations in regional programs |
| Country | A solution not used in Poland | Analysis of the state of the art, benchmarking, patent databases | SMART Path (FENG), Polish Technology Bridges |
| World | A solution without any equivalent in the world | Research on the state of the art, patent databases, scientific publications | International programs (Horizon Europe, EIC Accelerator), R&D competitions |
INDIVIDUAL COOPERATION
What do you gain from a consultation?
The discussion focuses on a specific solution. The goal is to determine what level of innovation can be reliably demonstrated, what evidence is missing, and which instrument is appropriate.
- Innovation qualification: type according to the Oslo Manual and the scale of novelty in relation to the call criteria.
- Maturity: Initial and target TRL and the resulting scope of work.
- Evidence: what analyses, studies and comparisons need to be prepared before submitting the application.
- Direction: R&D competition, implementation, investment instrument or Innovation Coach and INNOSTART.
DOTACJE ONLINE
Consulting on European funds
Prepare before the interview
- Description of the solution and the problem it solves.
- Results so far: research, testing, prototype.
- Known competitive solutions and their parameters.
- Patent applications or other intellectual property rights.
- Industry, target market and planned call for proposals.
- Team composition and access to research facilities.
The scope and cost of a paid consultation are agreed upon before the service begins.
SIMPLE PROCESS
How does the cooperation work?
01
You describe the solution
You provide a description of the solution, the status of the work, known competitive solutions, and the project goal.
02
We evaluate innovation
We determine the type of innovation, the scale of novelty and TRL and compare them with the call criteria.
03
We recommend the path
We indicate the missing evidence, financing instrument and possible scope preparation of the application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is worth knowing before a consultation?
What is the difference between innovation on a company scale and innovation on a national scale?
A company-wide innovation is a solution that is new or significantly improved for a given company, even if it is already being used by other companies. This is the minimum requirement for innovation according to the Oslo Manual. A national innovation means that a solution with these characteristics is not currently being implemented in Poland. The SMART path requires innovation at least on a national scale, while regional call for proposals typically requires innovation at least on a regional market scale.
How do I determine the TRL of my solution?
The baseline is determined based on available documentation: research results, test reports, a description of the prototype, and the conditions under which it was tested. A concept and proof of concept correspond to low levels, a laboratory-tested prototype to intermediate levels, and a solution proven in operational conditions to the highest levels. The TRL scale does not apply to projects that do not involve R&D.
Is purchasing a new machine or IT system an innovation?
According to the Oslo Manual, it can be considered an enterprise-wide innovation if it significantly changes the company's products or processes. However, it is not considered an innovation on a market, national, or global scale, and therefore does not meet the criteria for R&D competitions. Such projects are financed by investment instruments, including grants for digitization and automation, as well as regional programs.
What is an innovation review and is it necessary?
This document confirms that the project will result in innovation on a specific scale, for example, at least regional. In some regional calls, it is required or awarded points, while in others it is not. The requirement is determined by the call regulations. The advisory assessment helps prepare the material on which such an opinion is based.
Is it possible to check the innovation potential of a company without costs?
Yes. Innovation Coach is a free program run by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy and IPPT PAN. During individual meetings with a coach, the company's potential and innovation ideas are analyzed. Graduates with a recommendation for R&D work can apply for support in the program. INNOSTART NCBR for the first research and development project in line with the recommendation and National Smart Specializations.
What next if the assessment shows an insufficient level of innovation?
There are three directions. The first is to deepen the solution through R&D work that will enhance its novelty, for example, in the SMART Path or, for companies without research experience, through Innovation Coach and INNOSTART. The second is to change the instrument to an investment or regional one, where novelty at the company or regional level is sufficient. The third is to rebuild the concept based on an identified market gap and new business model.
The sources of financing for R&D projects and implementations are described on the website grants for innovation and R&D activities. Aktualne nabory znajdziesz na Mapa Dotacji.