Funding will also be provided for the development of e-learning, educational sciences, improving the quality of higher education, promoting cooperation between companies and institutes of higher education, doctoral studies, etc.

In accordance with the Operational Programme for the Development of the Living Environment, the ERDF and the state of Estonia will provide funds amounting to 2.4 billion EEK for the modernization of the study facilities and equipment as well as the dormitories of institutions of vocational education. Funds amounting to 300 million EEK will be provided for youth centres, information and counselling centres, while 400 million EEK will be provided for the modernization of schools for children with special education needs. The total amount of the funding comes to 3.3 billion EEK.

According to the Operational Programme for the Development of Economic Environment, the ERDF will provide financial support for the modernization of study rooms, laboratories and scientific technological equipment in institutions of higher education and scientific research establishments, as well as the organization of research and development programmes. The investment plan for modernizing the scientific research and development establishments and the general infrastructure for the institutions of higher education has been confirmed. Based on this plan, scientific research and development establishments and institutions of higher education can apply for financial support amounting in total to 1.7 billion EEK. Funding has also been confirmed for research centres of excellence. Measures are being prepared for the modernization of scientific equipment and devices and for sector-based research programmes, e.g. for supporting the fields of ICT or energy technology.