Subject of the grant​

The aim is to introduce small businesses and craft enterprises to the cooperation with research institutions and other companies / innovation partners and thus strengthen their innovative capacity. Innovative companies have clear advantages in terms of growth, stability and number of jobs. As a result, they are not only more economically efficient, but also take a stronger approach to the challenges of the future. Only services provided by external research and development institutions (R&D service providers) are supported.

Areas of application and focus

The Innovation Voucher Standard supports the planning, development and implementation of new products, production processes or services or the significant improvement of existing products, production processes and services in the field of technical or. technological innovations. Only services provided by external research and development institutions (R&D service providers) are supported.

Activities in the run-up to the development of an innovative product/service or process innovation such as.:

• Technical feasibility studies

• Material and design studies

• Studies and concept on manufacturing technology

Implementation-oriented development and research activities such as.:

• Construction services

• Prototype construction and technical design

• Product testing for quality assurance

Eligible to apply​

Small enterprises/handicraft enterprises of the commercial economy or the liberal professions

• with a permanent establishment or branch office in Bavaria.

• with less than 50 employees (full-time equivalents) and a maximum of 10 Mio. € annual sales or annual balance sheet total (including all affiliated companies).

• that are not in difficulty.

Founders

• who will start a business with a permanent establishment or branch in Bavaria.

• whose business start-up has formally taken place at the latest by the time the grant is settled.

Type, amount and scope of funding

Innovation vouchers are offered in two variants:

• The innovation voucher standard supports the planning, development and implementation of new products, production processes or services or the substantial improvement of existing products, production processes and services in the field of technical or technological innovations. The eligible expenses amount to a minimum of € 4,000 and a maximum of € 30,000.

• The Innovation Voucher Special opens up the possibility of carrying out projects with increased financial requirements that need highly specialised support (university, research institution). The eligible expenses amount to at least € 30,000 and a maximum of € 80,000.

Application process​

The application for the innovation voucher is submitted via an online application system. Once the application has been successfully reviewed, you will receive a grant notification; the project must be started within 3 months of receiving the grant notification. You have 12 months to realise your project.

Evaluation​

The Project Management Agency Bavaria will review your application in terms of form and content, following postal receipt of the original signed PDF document "Application for Innovation Voucher Bavaria". Before the funding decision is made, a vote of an independent person with relevant expertise will be obtained.

Further ​information

All information is taken from the Bayern Innovativ website (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Subject of the grant​

The aim is to turn SMEs into successful long-term users of artificial intelligence. From AI strategy development to implementation, this funding covers all the necessary steps to prepare SMEs for the challenges of the modern working world.

Each of the eight participating regional centres supports three companies per funding period.

Areas of application and focus

Funding for all SMEs in all sectors in Bavaria that are striving to integrate AI into their day-to-day business.

Companies receive specific support with the introduction of AI:

• Development of a strategy

• Development of use cases

• Further training for the workforce

• Practical phase for the development of own AI projects

Eligible to apply​

Medium-sized companies that can provide two FTEs for the 9-month project period and can pay a personal contribution of at least €29,000.

Type, amount and scope of funding

This is a 9-month project for the development of an in-house AI strategy and the implementation of initial use cases. Technical know-how and further training are provided after a maturity level evaluation at the beginning identifies the status quo and the potential for improvement based on this.

State funding with personal contribution of €29,000 in the basic tariff, additional personal contribution of €13,400 for the implementation of your own use case.

Application process

The 9-month project period has several starting dates each year. The first step is to fill out an application form (see the link in further information down below).

Evaluation

The appliedAI team will provide detailed information on the further procedure if the your company’s application meets the formal participation criteria.

Further information

All information is taken from the website of the KI-Transfer plus funding programme (as of 03/2024). Further information and the application form can be found here.

Subject of the grant​

R&D projects are favoured if they fall into one or more of the categories of basic research, industrial research or experimental development. The definitions of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) as well as examples and explanations from the OECD's Frascati Manual are used to allocate various activities to the individual categories.

In concrete terms, research and development therefore includes

• Basic research: experimental or theoretical work that primarily serves to acquire new basic knowledge without recognisable direct commercial application possibilities;

• industrial research: planned research or critical investigation to gain new knowledge and skills with the aim of developing new products, processes or services or bringing about significant improvements in existing products, processes or services. This also includes the development of parts of complex systems and possibly also the construction of prototypes in a laboratory environment or in an environment with simulated interfaces to existing systems as well as pilot lines, if this is necessary for industrial research and in particular the validation of technological principles;

• experimental development: the acquisition, combination, design and utilisation of existing scientific, technical, economic and other relevant knowledge and skills with the aim of developing new or improved products, processes or services. This also includes, for example, activities for the conception, planning and documentation of new products, processes and services.

Eligible to apply​

All companies subject to tax in Germany within the meaning of the Income Tax Act and the Corporation Tax Act, insofar as they generate income in accordance with Section 2 (1) sentence 1 numbers 1 to 3 of the Income Tax Act - irrespective of size, legal form and sector - are eligible. In the case of co-entrepreneurships in accordance with Section 15 (1) sentence 1 no. 2 of the Income Tax Act, the co-entrepreneurship shall take the place of the taxpayer as the beneficiary.

Type, amount and scope of funding

• In-house research: Personnel costs for activities in in-house R&D work or in cooperation projects

• Contract research: 60 % of the remuneration paid to the contractor

• Own work by individual entrepreneurs: 40 euros per hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week

• Research allowance: 25% of the eligible expenses with an assessment basis of eligible expenses incurred by the beneficiary in the financial year of max. 4 million euros (as of 03/2024)

Application process​

The application procedure for the research allowance is a two-stage process. It is divided into the application for the R&D certificate at the Certification Centre for Research Allowance (BSFZ) and the subsequent application for research allowance at the relevant tax office.

Evaluation​

There is a legal entitlement to funding if the conditions for the research allowance are met.

Further information

All information is taken from the website of the Certification Centre for Research Grants of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Feasibility Studies

Funding is available for feasibility studies to prepare research and development activities in the form of a planned ZIM R&D project. The aim is to determine the feasibility and prospects of success of innovative products, processes, or technical services. The maximum duration of the study is eight months. A maximum of two feasibility studies can be approved for a company within a 12-month period.

Individual Projects

Funding of research and development (R&D) projects carried out by one SME. Innovative companies with business operations in Germany and with fewer than 500 employees can receive funding of up to 45% of their costs.

Cooperation Projects

Funding is available for R&D co-operation projects between companies or between companies and research institutions for the development of innovative products, processes, or technical services without restriction to specific technologies and sectors. They should be carried out in a balanced partnership in which all partners provide innovative services.

Innovation Networks

Funding of management of innovative company networks and R&D projects generated by them (minimum requirement for national networks: six German SME partners mandating an organisation to manage the network).

To encourage partnerships between German and international companies as well as, optionally, research and technology organisations (RTOs), international networks have now become part of the regular ZIM funding scheme after the completion of a successful pilot project. Eligible international ZIM cooperation networks must involve at least four German SMEs mandating a German organisation to manage the network and at least three partners from other countries (two SMEs and an organisation serving as coordinator providing network management services abroad).

International Projects

To support cross-border co-operation projects

• ZIM offers ongoing bilateral and multilateral calls for proposals with over 20 countries/regions worldwide,

• the IraSME network facilitates multinational cooperation with selected countries and organises two calls for proposals and several networking and information events every year, and

• ZIM is involved in the EUREKA network and offers German applicants the opportunity to submit downstream applications for EUREKA network projects.

The funding of international ZIM innovation networks supports small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions in their cooperation with international players and the realisation of joint technological innovation projects with high market potential.

Further links

All information is taken from the ZIM website (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Subject of the grant​

Large-scale research and innovation collaborative projects with up to 50 partners are funded. National consortia from at least three EU and associated countries work on sub-projects that are part of an overarching European project. Funding is provided to industry-driven, pre-competitive research and development collaborative projects that achieve a sufficient level of innovation. Projects to build capacity with high connectivity to European industry in the area of electronic components and systems, as well as projects to set up competence centres and their Europe-wide interconnectivity are supported.

Areas of application and focus

Topic areas include service-oriented frameworks for the software-defined vehicle of the future, high-performance RISC-V automotive processors, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly production and manufacturing.

Eligible to apply​

SMEs as well as (large) industry, research institutions, universities and universities of applied sciences

Type, amount and scope of funding

Actual costs and unit costs are eligible. Projects are financed 1:1 by the EU Commission and the national project authorities (in Germany the BMBF), with a cumulative funding amount of up to €25 million per project. On the EU side, up to 70% of eligible costs and a 25% overhead are financed according to the Horizon Europe-specific rules, both in research and innovation actions and in innovation actions. Research institutions, universities, universities of applied sciences and SMEs receive 70% EU funding, large industries 50% - all participants are expected to make their own contribution.

National funding rules vary from participating country to participating country, the principle being that national funding cannot exceed EU funding but can instead undercut it. In Germany, the BMBF is responsible for financing, its funding guidelines apply: an appropriate contribution to the resulting eligible costs is required. As part of this funding guideline, the BMBF requires a personal contribution of at least 50% of the resulting eligible costs. For SMEs, the personal contribution can be reduced to 40%. The assessment basis for grants to universities, universities of applied sciences, research and scientific institutions and comparable institutions that do not fall within the scope of economic activities are the eligible project-related expenses (for Helmholtz centres and Fraunhofer institutes, the eligible project-related costs), taking into account the state aid regulations requirements, can be funded individually up to 100%.

For non-economic research projects at universities, universities of applied sciences and university hospitals, a project overhead of 20% is granted in addition to the eligible expenses financed by the BMBF.

Application process​

The funding application process is two-stage; funding must be applied for both through an all-encompassing EU application and through national funding applications. First, an expanded EU project outline is submitted (deadline usually in May). If its assessment is successful, the full EU application can then be submitted (deadline usually in September). In case its assessment is successful, too, the German applicants will be asked to submit a formal national application to the BMBF. Other countries involved have different procedures and requirements.

Evaluation​

There is no legal entitlement to funding, even if the thresholds of the full EU application are met. There is also no guarantee that a successful EU application will automatically result in the approval of all national applications.

Further ​information

Further information can be found on the Chips JU portal and in the BMBF announcement.

Subject of the grant​

Research and innovation joint projects are funded, usually with several partners from at least three EU and associated countries, whereby the number of partners depends on the intended funding amount per project.

Areas of application and focus

A variety of research areas are thematically covered: ICT and digitalisation, space, health, nutrition, agriculture and bioeconomy, climate, energy and mobility, security, social sciences, culture. The topics are divided into three programme pillars (Scientific Excellence, Industrial Competitiveness, Innovative Europe). In addition, there are five interdisciplinary topic areas (missions) such as climate change adaptation, cancer research, healthy oceans and seas, climate-neutral smart cities, soil health and nutrition.

Eligible to apply​

Research institutions, universities and universities of applied sciences, SMEs and (large) industry

Type, amount and scope of funding

Actual costs, unit costs and (depending on the tender) flat rates and flat-rate amounts are eligible. Research and innovation projects are funded 100% for all partners, innovation projects for research institutions, universities and colleges and non-profit organisations are also funded 100%, profit institutions are funded 70%, and there is a flat rate 25% overhead for each partner. The amount of funding is stated in the advertisement as a guideline.

Application process​

The application process is usually one-stage, but for certain topics two-stage. There are fixed annual submission deadlines, spread thematically throughout the year. The application will be evaluated and approved as submitted. For approval, an application must meet several evaluation thresholds, after which a decision is made as to the success of the application depending on the number of points achieved and the funding available for the call and topics.

Evaluation​

There is no legal entitlement to funding, even if all thresholds are met.

Further ​information

Further information can be found on the EU Commission’s web portal or on the National Contact Point website.

Subject of the grant​

ITEA projects are strongly driven by industry, technically innovative and exploitation-oriented. Project consortia consist of large industries and SMEs, but also research institutes, universities, universities of applied sciences and profit or non-profit organisations. Project consortia consist of at least two partners from two different countries, one of which must be a Eureka member country and the other must be either a Eureka member or a Eureka associated country.

Areas of application and focus

The focus of the projects is to be set in one or several of the following areas: artificial intelligence, software innovation, digitalisation and software-intensive embedded systems, data-driven systems, process and system simulation, user-friendliness and resource management, reliability, quality and security of software, parallelized and distributed systems. Fields of application are: mobility, automation, health and medical technology, services, energy and environment.

Eligible to apply​

Large industry (preferred as coordinator), SMEs, as well as research institutes, universities and universities of applied sciences

Type, amount and scope of funding

ITEA projects are financed by the respective national project sponsors from the project partners’ countries of origin. In Germany, the BMBF is the project sponsor and the BMBF financing rules apply: 50% financing rate for industry + BMBF-specific overhead. SMEs receive a 10% bonus. Universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutions are funded at 100% plus a 20% overhead.

Application process​

Applications for ITEA tenders occur once a year. The application process is multi-stage: first, a comprehensive ITEA application must be submitted as a two-stage process. In the first place, a project outline is submitted that describes the project goals, the innovation, the desired business model, the impact and the consortium structure. If the assessment is successful, a full application is then submitted that additionally describes implementation and management. A positive evaluation of the full application leads to an ITEA label.

In the next step, national applications are then submitted to all member states financing authorities of the consortium after the ITEA label has been awarded (some member states require the submission of a national application at the same time as the full ITEA application). In Germany, a six-page summary must be submitted to the project sponsor at the same time as the two-stage ITEA applications. However, there is no guarantee that national applications will be approved if an ITEA label has been issued.

Evaluation​

There is no legal entitlement to funding, even if the project has received an ITEA label.

Further ​information

Further information can be found on the ITEA4 portal and the guidelines for funding projects within the BMBF's European Eureka Clusters.

Subject of the grant​

The funding programme is intended to bring about a digital transformation of the European economy and society and particularly benefit small and medium-sized companies.

Areas of application and focus

Funding is focused on five key areas: supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills and ensuring the widespread use of digital technologies in business and society.

Eligible to apply​

The programme is primarily intended for companies, especially SMEs, that can contribute through their development work to the digitalisation of the economy and society.

Type, amount and scope of funding

There are different funding rates for the total eligible costs (personnel costs, subcontracts, purchase of equipment, financial support from third parties in limited quantities):

• 50% for simple grants for all involved (actions in a wide variety of areas)

• 50%, or 75% for SMEs for SME support actions (actions to directly support SMEs involved in the development and development of digital capacities)

• 100% for all parties involved in coordination and support actions (actions to promote cooperation and/or support EU policies)

• 50% for all parties involved in procurement subsidies and for subsidies for the procurement of expanded capacities

• 100% for grants for financial support of third parties (third parties only receive 50% financing)

• 50% for lump sum grants

Application process​

Application process with predetermined, annual application dates

Evaluation​

There is no legal entitlement to funding, even if the thresholds are met.

Further ​information

Further information can be found on the EU Commission website.

Subject of the grant​

Needs-based investments in the form of equity capital in the amount of € 250,000 to € 25 million in innovative high-tech companies in Bavaria. In addition to financial support, BayernKapital offers a network of private and public investors, experienced experts and public institutions in Bavaria for networking and exchange.

Areas of application and focus

Financing is available for the following sectors:

• Biotechnology and life science

• Medical technology

• Software and IT

• Environmental and nanotechnology

• Materials and new materials

Eligible to apply​

Companies that want to realise innovative products and production projects, launch them on the market and grow overall. It should be noted that the start-ups and scale-ups eligible to apply must carry out the essential parts of these projects in Bavaria.

Type, amount and scope of funding

BayernKapital offers five different investment funds, which vary depending on the stage of the company:

Early Stage:

• Seedfonds Bayern: up to €700,000, company phase up to max. 24 months

• BayernKapital Innovation Fund: up to € 2.5 million, from company foundation onwards

• BayernKapital Innovation Fund ERDF: up to €3 million, from company foundation, additionally EU-financed from ERDF funds

Later Stage:

• Bavarian Growth Fund: € 2 to 10 million, companies that have already completed series A

• Scale-up Fund Bavaria: € 10 to 25 million for established companies that want to grow internationally or aim for an exit

BayernKapital's funds are generally only involved as minority shareholders. The holding period for the investments is generally five to ten years.

Application process​

BayernKapital always acts as a co-investor together with private investors. Investments are made according to the pari passu principle: all participants are treated equally and must invest the same amount as BayernKapital.

Evaluation

If you are interested, please contact BayernKapital directly, who will make an individual decision on your request. The contact details can be found in the link below.

Further ​information

All information is taken from the BayernKapital GmbH website (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Subject of the grant

With the EXIST Start-up Grant, founders at universities and research institutions are supported in the phase before and at the beginning of their innovative start-up, especially in creating a viable business plan, developing marketable products, and innovative services. The funding in the EXIST Start-up Grant is open to all topics and technologies. The EXIST Start-up Grant aims to support innovative and sustainable business start-ups with high market relevance and implementation dynamics, whose founding idea originated in the university or research institution environment, incorporating the specialised knowledge and expertise acquired there, as well as any research and development work conducted.

Areas of application and focus

• Mobilising knowledge-based start-up projects from universities and research institutions.

• Recruiting and qualifying graduates, scientists, and students for entrepreneurial self-employment and founding their own companies.

• Aligning the start-up for successful market entry and sustainable company financing.

• Increasing the proportion of women and diversity in founding teams (gender diversity, internationality).

• Making contributions to the German Sustainability Strategy of the Federal Government, especially to SDG 9.1a (Innovation, increasing private and public expenditures on research and development to 3.5% of GDP) and SDG 8 (Sustainable economic growth, productive full employment, and decent work for all).
   

Eligible to apply

• Scientists from public, non-profit research institutions, and universities

• University graduates and former scientific staff (up to five years after graduation or leaving)

• Students who have completed at least half of their studies at the time of application, with the team not predominantly composed of students

• Start-up teams of up to three people

• One of the team members may also be funded as a technical employee with a state-recognised vocational training. Alternatively, the graduation of a team member may be more than five years ago
   

Type, amount and scope of funding

Securing personal livelihood through a stipend:

• Doctoral founders: €3,000/month

• Graduates with university degrees: €2,500/month

• Technical employees: €2,000/month

• Students: €1,000/month

• Child allowance: €150/month per child

Material expenses:

• Up to €10,000 for individual start-ups (maximum €30,000 for teams)

Coaching:

• €5,000

The maximum funding duration is one year.

 

Application process

The main requirement is that the planned business idea is an innovative, technology-oriented, or knowledge-based product with significant unique features and good economic prospects. Services are also supported under these conditions. The application is submitted through the university or research institution. You can learn about the milestones of the EXIST funding phase through our exemplary project process.

The funding process is single-stage. Formal funding applications must be submitted electronically through the university and in writing by post. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Evaluation

The received applications will be evaluated, possibly with the involvement of external experts, according to the formal and content requirements of the valid funding guidelines. Based on the evaluation, funding decisions will be made after the final application review.

Further information

All information is taken from the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Subject of the grant

The purpose of this measure is the accelerated introduction and dissemination of modern technologies and services in the economy and society. In the face of rapid technological change, this increases the competitiveness of the Bavarian economy and enables and ensures adequate economic growth and a high level of employment. The implementation of the funding measure takes place through corresponding calls, in which thematic priorities may be set. Within the respective funding calls, it is possible to submit project proposals by the specified deadlines. These are evaluated and assessed within a competition procedure based on defined criteria.

Areas of application and focus

The focus lies on the phase before and at the beginning of an innovative start-up, especially the development of marketable innovative products and business models as well as start-up readiness.

This specifically includes supporting those willing to start a business

• in securing their innovative, also digital business model, which could lead to a sustainable start-up,

• who were unable to complete their start-up project within the scope of Exist funding due to special technological challenges and have not yet been able to start a company,

• whose technologically innovative, demanding, and risky projects were denied funding under the "EXIST Start-up Grant" programme.

Projects that may be considered include those that

• go beyond the state of the art or, in the case of digital business models, are sufficiently new,

• have clear unique selling points,

• have sufficient continuity (positive continuation prognosis).

Eligible to apply

Those willing to start a business can apply under the following conditions:

• They must belong to the applying university.

• If employed by the university, their employment may not exceed 50%.

• If they are still classified as students and have not yet obtained a bachelor's degree, they must have completed at least half of the standard study period and, if applicable, the mandatory internship/semester abroad.

• Teams composed mostly of students without a bachelor's degree can only be supported in exceptional cases.

• At least one person willing to start a business must belong to the holders or co-holders of usage/protection rights.

• Are responsible for their social security and other contributions.
   

Type, amount and scope of funding

• Stipend for those willing to start a business: €2,500 per month plus €150 per dependent child

• Assumption of material expenses for the project up to 50% of the granted stipends

• Funding duration 6 – 12 months depending on the project
   

Application process

Applications can be submitted through state universities in Bavaria. Submission is through technology transfer offices or officers.

Evaluation

The formal evaluation is conducted by employees at the Bavarian project sponsor. The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy sends the allocation letter to the technology transfer office or the appointed technology transfer officer.

Further information

All information is taken from the Bayern Innovativ website (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Subject of the grant​

The HTGF promotes innovative technologies and business models through investment funds, but also through a large network and the associated expert knowledge.

Areas of application and focus

Investments by the High-Tech Gründerfonds are made in the business areas of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry or related fields.

Eligible to apply​

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible to apply for funding

• High-tech start-up from the fields of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry or related business fields

• Maximum age of the company: three years (entry in the commercial register or similar)

• Head office of the company in Germany or a permanent establishment in Germany if the company is based in another European country

Type, amount and scope of funding

A total of up to €4 million can be invested per company across all financing rounds. Up to €1 million can be allocated to the seed round.

Application process​

High-Tech Gründerfonds can either act as the main investor or together with partners. The partners can be acquired themselves or with the support of the HTGF network.

Evaluation​

The High-Tech Gründerfonds team decides individually whether the company is eligible for an investment. The contact form and the direct upload for pitch decks are linked below.

Further ​information

All information is taken from the High-Tech Gründerfonds website (as of 03/2024). Further information can be found here.

Data base of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action: funding opportunities of the German state, the Bundesländer and European Union

Förderfinder des Bundes: Research, innovation and development projects, EU and Germany

Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) of the German Federal Ministry of Justice

Funding programmes for SMEs: Overview of the Bavarian Research Alliance

AI funding: Overview of the Bavarian AI Agency

Booklet of funding programmes of the Cluster Mobility & Logistics: current funding programmes and calls in mobility and logistics, with or without technological focus areas (in German)

Funding & tender opportunities: Data base of the European Commission for EU funding programmes and calls

Access to EU Finance: portal for the application for loans and venture capital supported by the European Union