COFUND: Is it possible to align a COFUND postdoctoral programme with the regional strategy and institutional priorities and require only projects with high Technology Readiness Level and a big commercialisation potential?

Yes, it is possible. Researchers should be free to choose their research topic, but within the thematic areas of the concrete programme. The restriction for only High TRLs could be explained under the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) but also regional, national or sectoral needs, etc. If the programme is consistent and well explained, there should be no problems.

The programme should also be aligned with the evaluation criteria. When a project is close to TRL 7-8, the research could become innovation, and there should be evaluation criteria for innovation actions, impact, commercialization, etc.