resources for research and development in estonia

If you run an Estonian company as an e-⁠resident, Estonia’s research ecosystem offers a range of resources to help you find expertise, develop R&D projects and connect with research partners. 

This guest article comes from the Estonian Research Council (ETAG), which supports research, development and innovation in Estonia. ETAG funds research, helps shape national policy and connects Estonia with European and international research programmes.

“Small in size – great for research”, is not simply a catchy phrase but a compact summary of Estonia’s strengths, especially in the research and science area. Estonia is known for its truly science-minded society, where academic institutions and scientists enjoy a high level of respect. 

Estonia’s scientific output performs strongly: 

• Around 16% of publications by Estonian authors rank among the world’s top 10% most cited, placing Estonia at number six in the EU. 
• You have probably also heard of the fact that Estonia is the leader in unicorns per capita in the EU (Invest in Estonia, Atomico). 
• Together, these indicators illustrate an environment where a strong research base sits alongside an active entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This article presents resources to help you decide whether to do research and development in Estonia and how this could benefit your business. It will help you get to know and navigate the Estonian research landscape and resources managed and coordinated by the Estonian Research Council as well as our partner “Adapter”, which connects you with 26 Estonian research institutions. 

Join research already tackling real-world challenges

The Thematic Research and Development Programme (TemTA) funds research institutions with a total of €102 million to help them address real-world challenges faced by industry and companies. The research areas are: 

• Digital solutions in every area of life
• Health technology and services
• The utilisation of timber, food, mineral resources, secondary raw materials and waste as local resources
• Smart and sustainable energy solutions

The call for new projects is closed, but your company can still benefit by joining an existing project. You can gain direct access to research expertise and project-generated knowledge, while also helping shape the research around real-world business needs. Have a look at the list of all approved projects.

Looking for funding for your own project? Explore funding and grants for startups in Estonia and get practical tips for preparing your grant application.

ETIS: Your Estonian research database

ETIS (Estonian Research Information System) is a unique database and national register of Estonian research. It consolidates information on research grant applications, project management and related research results and researchers. 

ETIS is a good place to:

• Look for scientific expertise, potential research partners or a clearer picture of what research is happening in Estonia
• Gather statistics and inform data-based policy decisions 
• Find researchers and explore their expertise, including their affiliations, publications and ongoing or previous projects
• Explore research projects, institutions, infrastructure, equipment and services, helping you understand what capabilities already exist in Estonia and where they are located.

EURAXESS: Help relocating as a researcher

If Estonia already caught your attention as an e-resident, you might also wonder what it would be like to actually live and work here. Estonia ranks number one in the freshly published global relocation index (Rumavi, 2026). Keep in mind that e-⁠Residency gives you access to Estonia’s digital business environment, but it does not itself grant the right to live or work in Estonia. So, if you are a researcher considering not only running a company in Estonia, but also relocating here, EURAXESS Estonia is a useful place to start. 

Managed by the Estonian Research Council, EURAXESS Estonia supports researchers throughout the relocation process and provides up-to-date information about our academic landscape. 

Whether you are searching for a career in an Estonian research institution or need a better understanding of Estonia’s academic landscape, its actors and funding, the EURAXESS Estonia Network is there to help you. Network members provide information and support to mobile researchers (including PhD students) and their family members on relocating to Estonia and from Estonia. The EURAXESS Estonia portal has practical information on professional and daily life in Estonia, as well as on research jobs and funding opportunities.

And the best part: all EURAXESS services are free!

For a real-life story, discover how one Swiss researcher uses e-⁠Residency to build connections with Estonia through his academic and community work.

Adapter: Have an R&D challenge? Start here

Estonia has a strong research and innovation ecosystem, but as a company, you don’t necessarily need to know which university, research institution or expert to approach. This is where Adapter comes in.

Adapter is a single entry point connecting companies with 26 Estonian universities, research institutions and competence centres. Tell what your company is looking to develop, test or solve, and Adapter helps identify the right expertise and potential partners across the network.

Companies can turn to Adapter for:

• Applied research
• Product and technology development
• Laboratory analysis and testing
• Feasibility studies
• Student collaboration and training
• Guidance on funding opportunities

Have a challenge, development need or idea you would like to explore with Estonian researchers? Send your enquiry to Adapter – one contact gives you access to expertise across Estonia’s R&D network. 

If regulations are preventing you from testing or launching an innovative product, Accelerate Estonia may be able to help by working with companies and policymakers to address legal barriers.

Small in size, great for research 

If you run an Estonian company as an e-resident, Estonia’s research ecosystem offers several routes to find expertise, build R&D partnerships and explore funding opportunities. If you want to stay up to date about the latest research and science-related news from Estonia, visit researchinestonia.eu and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 

Resource directory

Estonia is a small country, but it has a very efficient research landscape. Have a look at the resources available:

• Research in Estonia
• TemTA – Thematic R&D Programmes
• ETIS (Estonian Research Information System)
• EURAXESS Estonia
• Adapter