Rolling stock in the post-Covid era (2. strana)

rail transport l agencies term contracts based on technological innovations, even in this non-standard period, serve as a stabilising factor providing security. Until the outbreak of the pandemic, the growing volume of agreements indicated that the market for the railway industry was moving towards greater interconnection between global players. This is currently beneficial for innovative technological solutions with global reach. Global players realise very well that their business interests and innovations can only be pursued in this sector if they are as integrated as possible in their supply chains. It is for this reason that efforts are being made to standardise and harmonise norms, as well as to optimise production. This creates a new space for technologically innovative solutions, especially in the areas of cybersecurity, digitisation, and the development of alternative drives. An example of this is the railway merger of the decade, when the French Alstom bought the Canadian Bomardier for an amount somewhere between EUR 5.8 and 6.2 billion. It can be assumed that technological projects will be the key to maintaining long-term prosperity of the company, regardless of the lockdown situation or the occurrence of further waves of the coronavirus pandemic. Designed precisely for the emergence of these technologically innovative solutions, there are various opportunities for financial support and the establishment of cooperation. SUPPORT OPTIONS TRANSPORT 2020+ d The modernisation of the transport sector with regard to sustainability, safety, and social needs. The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR), together with the Ministry of Transport, has announced a public tender in the program to support applied research, experimental development, and innovation in the field of transport. The second call was closed on 10 June 2020, the third call is being prepared. See more information here: https://www.tacr.cz/program/programdoprava-2020 ÉTA d Applied social science and humanities research, experimental development, and innovation. TA CR announced the fourth public tender to support project proposals related to the mitigation of negative societal impacts and the use of new opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic related crisis. Projects must make use of the knowledge, experience, or data from the current COVID-19 pandemic related crisis. Project proposals are currently being evaluated. See more information here: https://www.tacr.cz/program-eta-vyhlaseni-4-verejne-souteze/ TREND d Support for Industrial Research and Experimental Development - Sub-program 1 "Technology Leaders." TA CR, together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, announced the third public tender in research and experimental development. The subject of the public tender is the selection of proposals for industrial research and experimental development projects supported from public funds of the TA CR in order to support new products, production processes, and services. The third public tender was closed on 24 June; for further tenders follow the TA CR website . See more information here: https://www.tacr.cz/program-trendvyhlaseni-3-verejne-souteze/ Czech Rise Up d In response to the outbreak of the pandemic, the Ministry of Industry and Trade prepared the Czech Rise Up program. The first call focused mainly on the rapid deployment of technologies and solutions to effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2nd call of the program, which is currently being prepared, will support the use of modern technologies in medical and non-medical solutions to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. In particular, projects in the fields of health, education, and economics, with an emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, will be supported. For up-to-date information regarding the announcement of the second call, see: https://mpo.cz/cz/podnikani/dotace-apodpora-podnikani/program-czech-riseup-2-0/default.htm Connecting Czechia d Connecting Czechia is an information signpost and platform uniting initiatives and projects of volunteers, companies, and the state sector that help the Czech Republic, people, and companies during and after the coronavirus crisis. The portal is used not only as a source of information, but also as a space for gaining new connections and contacts and is operated by the CzechInvest Agency and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. See more information here: www.spojujemecesko.cz Autor: Robert Keil, CzechInvest's sector manager of the Innovation Department www.technikaatrh.cz 5