The top 15 funding programs
Here is an overview of the 15 most important German and EU funding programs. Click on the program and you will receive further information, an overview of the conditions and a link to the respective program website.
8th Energy Research Program
The 8th Energy Research Program is the most important funding instrument for the energy transition. Technology companies will find the tasks eligible for funding in different funding priorities. Participation in a joint project is[...]
Agency for Renewable Resources
The FNR's "Renewable Resources" funding program is an important and helpful program for German agriculture and forestry and for downstream companies in the bioeconomy. Maximum grant per company: Usual amounts 300,000 euros. [...]
BMBF programs
The BMBF regularly calls for proposals for specialist programs in specific areas. Technology companies often find interesting pre-competitive funding opportunities, for example as part of the bioeconomy ideas competition, battery research or in the[...]
BMWK programs
In addition to the large energy research program, the BMWK offers a number of other interesting programs - especially for the integration of modern technologies into everyday operations. Maximum grant per company: varies[...]
EFRE/ERDF – European Regional Development Fund
The ERDF funds are an important component of the federal states' funding policy. The federal states set up their own programs, which are co-financed by the EU. You can find the specific programs in[...]
EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator program is an excellent opportunity for high-tech or deep-tech companies to make their technology, which is already functioning as a prototype (TRL 6), ready for the market. In addition, high subsidies[...]
EIC Pathfinder
The EIC's Pathfinder program offers a great opportunity to develop breakthrough technologies with partners at an early stage. After successful completion, follow-up programs such as EIC Transition or EIC Accelerator can then be used[...]
Environmental Innovation Program – UIP
The proven environmental innovation program grants investment subsidies for systems that are being implemented in Germany for the first time and can act as a beacon for the relevant industry. The programme was recently[...]
EU Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund is fed by the auction of CO2 certificates and represents a strong program for the grant financing of innovative CO2 reduction technologies and systems. Only for exceptional lighthouse projects. The "Small[...]
Federal funding for industry and climate protection – BIK
Mhe new BIK funding supports small and medium-sized industrial companies in their decarbonization efforts. According to current planning, around 3.3 billion euros are available for the funding program for the entire duration of the[...]
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU's R&D program with a large budget of around 13.5 billion euros per year. A large number of programs and partnerships are financed. We have listed particularly exciting programs individually[...]
Overall German funding system for structurally weak regions / GRW
The "Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures" (GRW) supports companies in the economically weakest regions in their relocation and development tasks. The districts and regions in which applications can be submitted[...]
SME-innovative / KMU-innovativ
An established program for high-tech SMEs to develop and test an innovative technology alone or with partners at the prototype level. Maximum grant per company: needs-based, usual amounts around 500,000 euros Flat rate:[...]
ZIM Central Innovation Program for SMEs
The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) is the program of choice for limited technical innovations from SMEs that are to be developed and brought to market in 1-2 years. Not well suited for[...]
You can sort the programs by categories such as: For SMEs only, Prototype, Scale-up, Commercialization, German programs, EU programs. Simply click on the appropriate category. The funding program overview shows the most relevant funding programs for companies. All German funding programs can be found in the funding database of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).