Innovation Programme

At the EBRD, we recognise that innovation is one of the main drivers of growth: the key differentiator that helps SMEs increase market share, create more jobs and ensure business success and survival in the long term. The EBRD’s Innovation Programme in Lebanon offers technical assistance grants to SMEs and start-ups that are seeking to invest in research and development for innovating their products and processes. The Programme connects SMEs with researchers and research and development institutions who work with the companies to implement the innovations and make the businesses more competitive.

The Innovation Programme consists of three progressive stages that are offered to companies on a competitive basis. Eligibility for all three stages will be assessed based on the company’s level of innovation, market size and sector. The Programme will prioritise those companies that successfully complete the first component.

There will be three calls for applications per year for companies interested in working with researchers on innovating a product or a process. These €5,000 grants will allow companies to experiment and evaluate the feasibility of a well-developed idea.

Calls for Applications – Window for Application Submission

• Cohort 7 –20 January 2025 – 14 February 2025 
• Cohort 8 – 22 April 2025 – 16 May 2025 
• Cohort 9 – 08 September 2025 – 26 September 2025 

For companies that are interested and eligible for Component 1, please fill in the application form below and submit it together with the required supporting documents to knowhowlebanon@ebrd.com.

One call for applications per year will target companies in the development phase of their research and support activities that help SMEs and start-ups go to market and commercialise. SMEs and start-ups may apply for several activities that do not to exceed a grant of EUR 30,000 and with a cost share from benefiting companies.

Calls for Applications – Window for Application Submission

• Cohort 3 –17 February 2025 – 14 March 2025
• Cohort 4 – 23 June 2025 – 18 July 2025 

For companies that are interested and eligible for Component 2, please fill in the application form below and email it with the required supporting documents to knowhowlebanon@ebrd.com.

Two calls for applications per year, one to select 15 SMEs and one to select seven start-ups. The engagement will involve strategic innovation business diagnostic workshops, advisory projects and mentorship, among others. SMEs and start-ups will have the chance to apply to an intensive and tailored 18-month Programme intended to help them integrate and scale their innovations. SMEs and start-ups may apply for several activities that do not to exceed a grant of EUR 50,000 and with a cost share from benefiting companies.

• SME Track Cohort 1 – 22 September 2025 – 10 October 2025

The Star Venture Programme supports high-potential start-ups with tailored support to accelerate their growth and scale internationally. Launched under the EU-Funded Innovation Programme, this cohort will prioritise  companies that are actively engaged in research and development (R&D) or possess a deep technology component that they are looking to further develop and commercialise. The support Programme selected start-ups will benefit from includes business diagnostic workshops, mentorship, and technical advisory, access to markets and investors, and other perks.

• Star Venture Track Cohort 2 – 20 October 2025 – 14 November 2025

The Programme will prioritise SMEs operating in agribusiness, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, ICT and creative industries and their value chains.

Priority will be also given to projects that further the EBRD and the EU’s strategic objectives of sustainable development through three cross-cutting themes: transition to green, equality of opportunity and digitalisation.

A researcher is a person active in research, affiliated with a university in Lebanon at a post-graduate or equivalent level and with at least four years of research experience. Research experience would be undertaken in recognised research settings, including universities, public or private research organisations, academies of science, and large-scale industrial actors. Researchers must demonstrate a systematic understanding of a field of study and deep insight of the research associated with that field. The researcher must have contributed through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, innovation or application.

For further details on the Programme and eligibility criteria, please refer to the brochure below.