SekMo Supports Knowledge Exchange Between Research, Business and the Public Sector

The Sectoral Mobility Support Measure, known as SekMo, is designed to strengthen cooperation between Estonian research institutions, universities and organisations in the private, public and third sectors. The measure supports the movement of people between sectors so that knowledge, research capacity and practical expertise can be applied more directly in real development and innovation projects.

The third SekMo application round opens on 1 February 2026 and remains open until 31 December 2026, while support for knowledge transfer doctoral candidates can be applied for until 31 August 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the budget is exhausted or the final deadline is reached. The total budget of the measure is €22.4 million, with up to €6 million available under the third application round.

The measure supports several forms of knowledge mobility. Companies and public or third-sector organisations can involve researchers from positively evaluated research and development institutions in applied research, experimental development or innovation projects. Universities and research institutions can bring in top specialists from other sectors to support teaching, research, development, innovation or technology transfer. Organisations may also hire knowledge transfer doctoral candidates to work on development topics connected to their field.

Projects must be linked to at least one smart specialisation growth area and may involve state aid, de minimis aid or non-economic support, depending on the nature of the project. Labour costs are reimbursed using unit costs, with the monthly full-time unit cost set at €4,760 for researchers and top specialists and €3,154 for knowledge transfer doctoral candidates. Other eligible costs are calculated as a 40% flat rate on reimbursed labour costs. The support rate may range from 25% to 85%, depending on the type of activity and the size of the applicant.

For organisations planning research-based development, innovation work or stronger cooperation with universities, SekMo provides a practical way to bring high-level expertise directly into the organisation. It can help improve internal processes, strengthen development capability and create better-quality outputs through closer links between research and practice.