Estonian Research Council gave out grants in order to solve problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic

The Estonain Research Council is starting 13 new research projects in order to find solutions caused by the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic. A total of 2.14 million euros has been allocated to the new projects.

The applied research and experimental development projects funded, were selected out of 29 applications. The funding is between 100 - 200 000 euros per project.

Researchers all over Estonia are going to develop more effective face masks and biodegradable ingredients for antiviral coatings and cleansers. The researchers are also identifying antiviral agents that could be used in conventional products such as disinfectants or cosmetics. But also finding solutions for surface treatment options for antiviral treatment of difficult-to-clean surfaces and for cleaning indoor air of respiratory viruses.

One of the funded projects is the Institute of Technology research project "Autonomous mobile robot park for hospital management during COVID-19" lead by Associate Professor of Collaborative Robotics Arun Kumar Singh. The aim of the project is to create a robot-park that would ease the workload of medical workers in difficult environments such as coronavirus pandemic. It also minimizes the contact with infected patients so that the spread of the virus is lower.

More information and list of funded projects in in the Estonian Research Council homepage (in Estonian).