The Estonian Research Council implements research and development programmes as well as science popularisation measures:
- A vibrant Estonian society, language, and cultural space is one of the focal points of the national RD&I (Research, Development, & Innovation) development plan. One of its starting points is the need to make smart choices and to concentrate activities and funding on those areas that, based on research results and through collaboration among various stakeholders, can best generate solutions to society’s challenges. One priority area is a vibrant Estonian society, language, and cultural space, encompassing linguistic, cultural, educational, and social‐process domains.
- Mobilitas 3.0 helps ensure the continued functioning of Estonia’s research system, strengthens its high quality and competitiveness, and promotes the internationalisation of Estonian science. As a result of the programme, the excellence of Estonian research has increased, and the number of Estonian participants in European Union framework‐programme initiatives has grown.
- RITA+’s primary goals include strengthening the capacity of the public sector in fields of smart specialisation, integrating research‐and‐development results into policymaking, and addressing societal challenges. In addition, it aims to elevate the public sector’s role in guiding Estonian R&D activities, to support the development of key R&D directions, and to improve the competencies of public‐sector employees in consultation and policymaking—thereby fostering both domestic and international cooperation. The programme also focuses on enhancing the expertise of development advisers in professional associations in the field of R&D and promoting their national and international collaboration.
- TeaMe 3.0 carries out activities to popularise the natural sciences, exact sciences, technology, and engineering (STEM).
- Thematic Research and Development Programmes (TemTA) support research projects driven by the needs of companies and public‐sector institutions in the areas of digital solutions, health, local‐resource valorisation, and energy. They also foster cooperation among researchers, companies, and public‐sector institutions.