Fondef Programme has strengthened the scientific and technological capacities of the Universities and technological institutions to increase the competitiveness of the national economy and to contribute to improve the quality of life of all Chilean people.

It offers grants to non - profit R & D institutions like universities and research institutes, as main beneficiaries, that co-invest with companies.

Concurso Nacional de Proyectos de I + D:

Annual R & D Projects:

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It represents what the international experience denominates pre-competitive projects. Also, the grants, with submissions in a fixed date of the year,  are based on priority areas such as:

• Those that are traditional bases of the national economy and, by means of R & D, can consolidate as drivers of valued added exports.  For example, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Water and Energy.
• Those of high dynamism in the construction of value as Information and Communication Technologies and Manufacture
• Those of high social impact like Health and Education.

All projects must have:

• Scientific quality
• Innovation
• Technology transfer
• Protection of Results

The contributions of projects FONDEF come from three sources of financing: FONDEF, Institution (beneficiary (s) or executors) and companies. The co-financing requirements are:

On the part of Fondef the maximum contribution is of 55% of the total cost of the project with a maximum of $450 million Chilean pesos for projects of 36 months.

On the part of the main Institution (executor) a minimum contribution equivalent to 20% of the total cost of the project.  Regarding associates and companies the demanded minimum contribution is a 25% of the total cost of the project.

Those projects that due to the nature of the challenge or area require more time (up to 72 months), will be able to consider maximum amount of 750 million Chilean pesos from Fondef.

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 Technology Transfer Programme.

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Annual R & D Projects  can submit applications to the Technology Transfer Programme at every time of the year (open window), in order to support the market introduction of innovation results.

It is possible to distinguish four ways to generate economic benefits from the project results:

• Creation of new economic activities or productive diversification.
• Productivity  improvement
• Extension of the production, the markets or the cover
• Generation of national a national environment which the companies innovate

Thematic programs

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These are open calls to awards oriented to solve national challenges, in a determined sector, to obtain the consolidation of critical mass and international projection.

By definition, they also must have a central component of R & D, but the focus it is a precise challenge, with subjects defined by Fondef, in consultation with the national system of innovation. These calls vary from year to year.

Among the most relevant initiates we can mention the following:

• Renewable Natural Resources Genome Programme, in association with CORFO and FIA
• Bio-mining Programme, in association with CORFO
• Programme on Information Technologies applied to Education
• Towards a Worldwide Aquaculture Programme
• Red Tide Programme, in association with CORFO
• Initial contribution to the creation of the Fund of Science and Technology in Health, FONIS, in association with the Ministry of Health
• Centre for Information Technologies Programme in Valparaiso, in association with the Regional Government of Valparaíso and JICA