The initiative is funded with a €16 million investment by the Estonian government and addresses a long-identified gap in the country’s innovation ecosystem: the absence of a dedicated Research and Technology Organisation (RTO).
The new center will serve as a bridge between fundamental research and industrial application, accelerating the development and commercialization of high-impact technologies.
Credit: Harry Tiits
Indrek Tulp, Board Member of Metrosert and Head of the Applied Research Center
Metrosert: From National Metrology Authority to Strategic Innovation Partner
Metrosert operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and serves as Estonia’s central metrology authority, responsible for the development, maintenance and international coordination of national measurement standards. Furthermore, the organization supports Estonian industry through scientific and development services, measurement and instrument control, and the development and certification of quality management systems.
The establishment of the Applied Research Center marks a strategic evolution of Metrosert’s mandate — from providing metrological assurance to becoming a driver of applied research, industrial collaboration, and innovation policy implementation.
“As a state-owned company with a strong technical foundation and a public service mandate, Metrosert is uniquely positioned to function as Estonia’s national RTO,” said Indrek Tulp, Board Member of Metrosert and Head of the Applied Research Center. “This role has long been filled in other developed innovation economies by intermediary institutions that translate research outputs into scalable industrial solutions. Estonia is now joining this model with a dedicated platform that reflects our national strengths and emerging priorities.”
A Platform for Technological Maturity and Market Readiness
The Applied Research Center will initially focus on five interdisciplinary areas of national and international relevance:
- Drone Technologies and Security
The center's drone laboratory will enable testing under real environmental and operational conditions, including electromagnetic interference, weather variability, and sensor stability. The aim is to support the development of resilient, high-performance solutions for civil, commercial, and security applications.
- Autonomous Vehicles
Metrosert will provide mobile field laboratories that allow for testing and validation of autonomous vehicle systems at client locations. This initiative responds to the lack of affordable, flexible testing environments for SMEs and regulators in Estonia and the broader Baltic region.
- Hydrogen Technologies
By establishing domestic testing capabilities for fuel cells, electrolysers, and associated systems, the Center addresses a critical technology infrastructure gap that previously forced developers to rely on foreign laboratories. This will significantly reduce development timelines and costs, while strengthening Estonia’s participation in the European hydrogen transition.
- Biorefining and Synthetic Biology
A dedicated biorefining unit will support the scale-up of synthetic biology applications, including protein and enzyme development, yeast engineering, and biopolymer production. In partnership with universities and industry, the center will offer pilot-scale testing infrastructure and contribute to sustainable bio-based innovation.
- Health Data and Digital Health
The center will design and implement secure, regulation-compliant protocols for the secondary use of health data in research and innovation. This work supports Estonia’s long-standing leadership in e-health and aims to enable data-driven development of medical technologies and digital therapies.
A National Investment in Collaborative Innovation
The Applied Research Center is not intended to duplicate the work of existing academic institutions, but to complement and support them through applied research services, prototyping capabilities, and technology validation processes that are tailored to the needs of industry and policy-makers. The center will also provide internship and fellowship opportunities, ensuring integration of early-career researchers into applied innovation environments.
“Estonia’s scientific community is internationally respected, and our digital infrastructure is among the most advanced globally,” said Indrek Tulp. “What has been missing is a dedicated institution capable of responding directly to the applied research needs of industry, particularly in deep technology sectors where time-to-market and testing capacity are critical. The Applied Research Center is designed to fulfil that function.”
Invitation to Collaborate
Metrosert’s Applied Research Center welcomes inquiries from domestic and international stakeholders, including research institutions, startups, corporations, and public agencies. The Center is open to joint research initiatives, infrastructure partnerships, and service-based cooperation across all five thematic areas.
“Estonia is a tech-forward nation, recognized for its leadership in digital transformation, AI adoption, and e-Estonia initiatives. The country’s business-friendly environment is characterized by low bureaucratic hurdles, fast decision-making, and easy access to the EU market, creating an ideal setting for new ventures. With a strong R&D ecosystem connected to universities, research centers, and EU-funded programs, Estonia offers a solid foundation for innovation. Metrosert aims to be a gateway to innovation for our global partners, offering the infrastructure and expertise needed to turn ideas into reality,” added Indrek Tulp.
Metrosert is a member of European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), an organisation founded in 1999 to promote RTOs and represent their interest in Europe.
Read more: https://metrosert.ee/en/services/applied-research-center