The aim of ADAPTER+ is to support knowledge transfer from the Estonian universities, universities of applied sciences, and research and development institutions participating in the project to entrepreneurship and, through this, to society at large.
Established as part of the project, the ADAPTER network operates proactively by mapping and assessing the needs and expectations of entrepreneurs, continuously identifying opportunities for creating new research-based services through close cooperation, and using digital platforms to deliver these services. Through the Adapter web platform developed during the project, companies can find and order applied research, analyses, laboratory measurements and testing, product development and prototype creation, technological consulting, and other forms of research collaboration.
In addition to the digital partner platform, Adapter offers networking events, club activities, and international cooperation projects.
The project is led by the AIRE Centre of TalTech; the Estonian Academy of Arts is one of nine budgetary partners, and the network additionally includes 15 cooperation partners.
The activities of the Adapter cooperation network are co-financed by the European Union through the ASTRA+ programme during the period 01.07.2025 – 31.08.2029 (project no. 2021-2027.1.01.24-0833) in the total amount of 4.22 million euros, with the objective to increase the impact of research and strengthen the knowledge transfer capacity of research institutions.
Cooperation partners:
Lead partner: Tallinn University of Technology;
5 partner universities: University of Tartu, Tallinn University, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre;
4 universities of applied sciences: Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, Estonian Aviation Academy, Tallinn Health Care College, and Tartu Health Care College;
15 ADAPTER+ cooperation partners and additional users in the future: Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences Mainor, Institute of the Estonian Language, Estonian Literary Museum, Estonian National Museum, Estonian Business School, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tartu Art School Pallas, Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, Metrosert, Wood Competence Centre TSENTER (Võrumaa Education and Technology Centre), Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, National Institute for Health Development, Competence Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies, Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, and the Estonian Accreditation Centre.
Principal investigator at EKA: Sven Idarand
Project led by: Erle Kivilo & Triin Männik
Funding programme: ASTRA+
Funder: State Shared Service Centre
Project funding period: 2025–2029