Knowledge
What you should know about funding before you apply.
80 articles: programme profiles, guides and records of what has changed. Depth, not a sales pitch. Every article names its sources.
By topic
What's your area?
All articles
Search, filter, read.
80 articles
Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minThe BSFZ certificate: process, criteria and processing timeThe BSFZ certificate is the first step towards the Forschungszulage research allowance. Process, assessment criteria, processing time and common grounds for rejection, explained concisely.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minForschungszulage rejected: reasons and what you can doForschungszulage rejected? The most common grounds for rejection at the BSFZ and the tax office, your legal remedies and how to revise the application successfully.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minForschungszulage for contract research: the 60% rule and what has applied since 2024Forschungszulage for contract research: 60% for older contracts, 70% from 28 March 2024. Eligibility, boundaries and documentation duties at a glance.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minCalculating the Forschungszulage: what you actually getCalculating the Forschungszulage: 25% standard, 35% for SMEs, €12m assessment base in 2026. Step by step, with a worked example and the formula.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 7 minThe Forschungszulage in a tax audit: what the tax office checksForschungszulage in a tax audit: which documents the tax office asks for, how time records hold up and what the ban on cumulation means.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minForschungszulage for sole traders: costing your own work correctlyForschungszulage own-work allowance: €100 an hour from 2026, max. 40 hours a week. How sole traders calculate their eligible assessment base correctly.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minWhat counts as R&D? The Frascati criteria explained simplyWhat counts as research eligible for the Forschungszulage? Novelty, uncertainty, systematic method: the BSFZ's three Frascati criteria explained clearly, with the line against routine work.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minForschungszulage 2026: amounts, rates, capsForschungszulage amounts in 2026: 25% standard, 35% for SMEs on application, max. €4.2m a year. Assessment base, overhead flat rate and caps explained concisely.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 7 minForschungszulage or ZIM? A direct comparisonForschungszulage vs ZIM: who gets what, how much, how fast? Type of funding, amounts, application process and combinability compared directly for 2026.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minForschungszulage: which staff costs are eligibleForschungszulage staff costs: gross pay plus the employer's social security contribution, a 20% overhead flat rate from 2026, own work up to €100 an hour. All the rules under § 3 FZulG.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minForschungszulage for software development and AI: what counts and what doesn'tForschungszulage for software development: when AI and software projects meet the BSFZ criteria, how staff costs are calculated and what tax offices check.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minForschungszulage: keeping time records properlyForschungszulage time records: what the tax office requires, how to document hours per employee and per project, and which mistakes sink the application.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minZIM rejected: reasons, appeal and next stepsZIM application rejected? The project management agencies' most common grounds for rejection, your legal remedies and how to revise the application successfully.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minFiling a ZIM application: the process step by stepFiling a ZIM application: preparation, choosing the portal, submission and what applies after the decision. The process step by step for single projects and cooperations.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minZIM single project vs cooperation project: which suits your plan?ZIM single project or cooperation project? Funding amounts, caps, effort and the 14-day rule compared directly, so you pick the right project type.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minZIM: which costs are eligibleWhich costs ZIM funds: staff costs, the overhead flat rate, external services, materials and depreciation, with all the limits and pitfalls.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minZIM funding amounts and caps explainedZIM funding in 2026: rates of 25–45%, cost caps up to €690,000 (single project) and €3m (cooperation), the cooperation bonus and the third-party cost limit explained.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minZIM funding rate: what percentage you get, by company sizeZIM funding rates 2025/2026: 25–45% for single projects, 5 percentage points more for cooperations. Small, medium and larger SMEs compared, with the GBER basis.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 6 minZIM cooperation project: finding partners and the processHow a ZIM cooperation project runs, which partners are permitted, how much funding there is and the 14-day rule you need to know.Programm-Analyse · 14.06.2026 · 5 minZIM eligibility in 2026: what you have to meetZIM eligibility in 2026 at a glance: SME status, R&D share, no early project start, market relevance. All the criteria explained concisely.Methodik · 13.06.2026 · 7 minFunding strategy across the innovation processCombining programmes along the innovation stages, respecting de minimis limits, carrying ten years of audit obligations: the methodical overview of funding strategy.Programm-Analyse · 13.06.2026 · 7 minForschungszulage 2026: the complete guideEligibility, amounts, the BSFZ and tax office procedures, common mistakes: an overview of the Forschungszulage in 2026, with links to the detailed articles.Programm-Analyse · 13.06.2026 · 6 minHorizon Europe for the MittelstandProgramme structure, realistic success rates, effort and when Horizon Europe is worth it for a mid-sized company: an overview with links to the detailed analyses.Programm-Analyse · 13.06.2026 · 6 minFunding for startups and foundersEXIST, INVEST, Forschungszulage: an overview of startup funding in Germany. Stages, timing and the most expensive mistakes.Programm-Analyse · 13.06.2026 · 6 minZIM funding: application, eligibility, processEligibility, funding rates, project types and the application process of the Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM): an overview, with the 2026 reform.Compliance & Recht · 19.04.2026 · 13 minChatGPT in a funding application: why it breaches § 203 StGBTax advisers, lawyers and auditors risk breaching § 203 StGB when they use ChatGPT. What the DSK held in 2024 and what stays lawful.Compliance & Recht · 19.04.2026 · 14 minThe de minimis trap: when one funding programme blocks the next€300,000 over three tax years and across group boundaries: how Regulation 2023/2831 governs cumulation and why application B can devalue application A.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 11 minEXIST after incorporating: why there's no curePre-incorporation is a hard cut-off. What university teams need to know about the EXIST founder grant, EXIST research transfer and the alternatives.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 15 minForschungszulage 2026: a €12m assessment base, €4.2m for SMEs. What applicants need to know nowA €12m assessment base and a €4.2m SME ceiling: documentation mistakes from the first BSFZ wave and how mid-sized firms are responding.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 12 minForschungszulage 2026 for startups: what the €4.2m ceiling really meansA €12m assessment base, a 35% SME rate, 20% overheads: the full calculation for an eight-person engineering team, with primary sources.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 11 minForschungszulage retroactively: four years of cash flow almost nobody claims§ 169 AO allows closed financial years to be reopened. What the typical bootstrapped founder overlooks when claiming the Forschungszulage retroactively.Methodik · 19.04.2026 · 12 minHuman in the loop in the application process: what the Dell'Acqua study at BCG measured758 consultants, a pre-registered field experiment: 25% faster, 40% better quality, and the limits of the human-in-the-loop effect.Policy & Evidenz · 19.04.2026 · 13 minHorizon Europe: what the 17% success rate hidesThe EIC Accelerator at just 6%, an average 240 days to grant: what the aggregate Horizon Europe success rate actually conceals.Policy & Evidenz · 19.04.2026 · 14 minHorizon Europe more burdensome than H2020: the interim evaluation in detailThe European Commission confirms it: 32% find Horizon Europe more burdensome than H2020, 48% have admin costs above 10%. What the interim evaluation records.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 12 minThe INVEST whitelist: which industry codes trigger the 25% angel subsidyThe 25% INVEST grant for business angels: which WZ industry codes are on the BAFA whitelist and why the wrong classification costs you eligibility.Policy & Evidenz · 19.04.2026 · 13 minWhat the Federal Audit Office's KTF report really saysThe Federal Audit Office on the climate and transformation fund: a third of the money has been evaporating for 14 years. Structural causes, the 2023 Constitutional Court ruling and what it means for applicants.Methodik · 19.04.2026 · 13 minStaff turnover in the innovation team: five questions about retained knowledgeBefore the innovation manager leaves: which five pieces of knowledge have to be documented so applications, evidence and audit trails don't leave with them?Methodik · 19.04.2026 · 13 minThe reuse effect: how an application platform pays for itself from cycle 2–3NIH R01 resubmission data: the empirical advantage of the second submission, and what it means for German funding pipelines.Compliance & Recht · 19.04.2026 · 13 minThe ten-year rule: audit obligations after the funding decisionIn the European Court of Auditors' sample, one in four audited research transactions had measurable errors, with staff costs the number one source: what applicants have to keep for ten years.Programm-Analyse · 19.04.2026 · 12 minZIM 2026: what the ministry's reform changes for Mittelstand applicationsNew funding rates, shifted priorities, deadlines: what the 2026 ZIM reform changes for single, cooperation and network projects.Methodik · 19.04.2026 · 13 minThe 20/80 asymmetry: why writing the application is the smallest jobThe FDP burden survey, the Commission's interim evaluation and the auditors' error statistics: where the effort in the funding process really sits, and what conventional consultancy doesn't cover.Programm · 8 minDigital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)Digital Europe (DIGITAL): €8.1bn for HPC, AI, cybersecurity, digital skills and deployment. Funding rates of 50–100%. Next deadline: 1 October 2026.Programm · 2 minDigital JetztDigital Jetzt funds investment in digital technology and staff training in SMEs. Up to a 50% funding rate, capped at €50,000 per project.Programm · 6 minDigitalbonus BayernDigitalbonus Bayern funds digitalisation and IT security in small companies with a 50% grant, up to €7,500 (standard) or €30,000 (plus). Applications via ELSTER.Programm · 6 minERDF Berlin 2021-2027ERDF Berlin 2021-2027: €680m of EU money for innovation, climate protection and urban development. Grants for SMEs and research institutions in Berlin.Programm · 6 minERDF Brandenburg 2021-2027ERDF Brandenburg 2021-2027: grants of up to 85% for innovation, climate protection and structural change. €1.6bn. Applications through the ILB.Programm · 6 minERDF Hesse 2021-2027ERDF Hesse 2021-2027 funds research, investment and climate protection with up to €249m of EU money. Applications through WIBank; all the terms here.Programm · 6 minERDF Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2021-2027ERDF Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2021-2027: grants up to €5m for innovation, climate protection, the maritime economy and tourism. Funding rates of 20–85%.Programm · 7 minERDF Lower Saxony 2021-2027ERDF Lower Saxony 2021-2027 funds innovation, digitalisation, climate protection and regional development with grants from €50,000 to €5m. Applications through NBank.Programm · 6 minERDF Rhineland-Palatinate 2021-2027ERDF Rhineland-Palatinate 2021-2027: grants for innovation, energy efficiency and investment, up to €5m at a 40–60% funding rate. Applications through the ISB.Programm · 7 minERDF Saarland 2021-2027ERDF Saarland 2021-2027: around €135m for innovation, climate protection and structural change. Financial instruments, grants and Just Transition Fund money. Applications through SIKB.Programm · 8 minERDF Saxony-Anhalt 2021-2027ERDF Saxony-Anhalt 2021-2027: grants of up to 85% for innovation, climate protection, digitalisation and structural change in the central German mining region. Check now.Programm · 6 minERDF Schleswig-Holstein 2021-2027ERDF Schleswig-Holstein 2021-2027: €272m of EU money for innovation, climate protection and territorial development. Find the right call now.Programm · 6 minERDF Thuringia 2021-2027ERDF Thuringia 2021-2027 funds research, SME investment and climate protection with around €1.088bn. Funding rates of 30–85%. Applications through the Thüringer Aufbaubank.Programm · 7 minEIC AcceleratorEIC Accelerator 2026: grants up to €2.5m plus equity up to €10m for deep-tech SMEs. Six cut-off dates, three stages, and tips for your application.Programm · 6 minERP digitalisation loanThe ERP digitalisation loan (KfW 511/512): a low-interest loan of up to €25m for digitalisation projects, with a repayment grant of up to 5% at level 3.Programm · 7 minEU LIFE ProgrammeEU LIFE Programme 2021–2027: grants up to 95% for environmental, nature and climate projects. Total budget €5.45bn. The 2026 calls are open.Programm · 3 minEXIST founder grantEXIST supports founding teams from universities with a living allowance, coaching and materials. Up to €3,000 a month per person, up to €30,000 for materials, over 12 months.Programm · 3 minForschungszulageThe Forschungszulage (FZulG) is Germany's R&D tax incentive. From 2026: 25% standard, 35% for SMEs, max. €4.2m a year. Can be claimed retroactively for financial years back to 2022.Programm · 7 minIBI-ERDF Rhineland-Palatinate: implementing business innovationIBI-ERDF Rhineland-Palatinate funds SME investment in digitalisation and technological transformation with grants of up to 20% (max. €5m). Check your eligibility now.Programm · 8 minINTERREG 2021-2027INTERREG 2021-2027 funds cross-border projects with EU grants of up to 80%. Consortia from at least two countries, a total budget of around €10bn. All the details.Programm · 3 minINVEST venture capital grantINVEST reimburses business angels 20% of their investment in young innovative companies. Up to €100,000 in acquisition grant per investor per year. Conditional on the WZ code whitelist.Programm · 6 minIndustrial collective research (IGF)IGF funds pre-competitive R&D projects for SMEs with grants of up to €750,000. A two-stage procedure through the DLR project management agency: eligibility, terms, application process.Programm · 6 minInnoInvest ThuringiaInnoInvest Thuringia: a flat-rate grant of €2,500–200,000 for innovative SME investment and freelancers. No deadline. Start the funding check now.Programm · 6 minInnovation vouchers Baden-WürttembergInnovation vouchers Baden-Württemberg: SMEs get a 50% grant towards external R&D and innovation services, up to €20,000 (Hightech BW, Start-up BW, Mittelstand trifft Start-ups) or up to €7,500 (BW). Check now.Programm · 7 minInvest BW innovation fundingInvest BW: grants of up to €650,000 for R&D in Baden-Württemberg (€1.3m for consortia). Funding rates of 15–45%. A two-stage competitive procedure with themed calls.Programm · 5 minKMU-innovativKMU-innovativ funds high-risk R&D projects by small and medium-sized companies with grants of up to 70%. Two stages, organised by theme, run by the BMFTR.Programm · 7 minKMU-innovativ: bioeconomyKMU-innovativ bioeconomy funds high-risk leading-edge research into bio-based products, biorefineries and industrial biotechnology. Grants of up to 70% of project costs.Programm · 7 minKMU-innovativ: electronics / autonomous driving / HPCKMU-innovativ electronics funds leading-edge SME research in microelectronics, power electronics, sensors, autonomous driving and HPC with grants of up to 70%.Programm · 6 minKMU-innovativ: energy efficiency, climate protection and adaptationKMU-innovativ climate funds leading-edge research by small and medium-sized companies into energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation: grants of up to 70%, next deadline 15 October 2026.Programm · 6 minKMU-innovativ: ICT and software-intensive systemsKMU-innovativ ICT-SWS funds AI and software research in SMEs with grants of up to 70%. A two-stage procedure, next deadline 15 October 2026.Programm · 7 minKMU-innovativ: photonics and quantum technologiesKMU-innovativ photonics and quantum technologies funds high-risk R&D projects by small and medium-sized companies in optics, lasers, photonic integrated circuits, quantum computing and quantum sensing with grants of up to 70%.Programm · 6 minKMU-innovativ: resources and the circular economyKMU-innovativ resources and circular economy funds leading-edge SME research into recycling, resource efficiency and the circular economy with grants of up to 70% and up to €500,000.Programm · 6 minKMU-innovativ: the future of value creation (production research)KMU-innovativ production research: a 60% grant for R&D in Industry 4.0, robotics and smart production. Next deadline 15 October 2026.Programm · 6 minMittelstand-Digital ITSiWi focus projectsMittelstand-Digital ITSiWi focus projects: grants for consortia that support SMEs and skilled trades with cybersecurity. Up to 80% for SMEs, 100% for universities.Programm · 6 minSpitze auf dem Land! Technology leaders for Baden-WürttembergSpitze auf dem Land! funds SME investment in rural Baden-Württemberg with grants of up to €500,000 (20% or 10% of investment costs). Next deadline: 31 August 2026.Programm · 3 minValidating research results and inventions (Validierungsförderung) and FLÜGGEBavaria funds the validation of research results and inventions and the step into self-employment (FLÜGGE). Up to €500,000, funding rates of 30–60%.Programm · 6 minWIPANOWIPANO funds first-time patent and utility model filings for SMEs with grants of up to €16,000 (a 50% funding rate). Applications possible until 31 October 2027.Programm · 3 minZIM: the central innovation programme for the MittelstandZIM is Germany's largest nationwide grant programme for mid-sized R&D projects. The 2026 reform brings higher funding rates, an overhead flat rate and priority for AI and sustainability.Programm · 5 mingo-inno innovation vouchersgo-inno funds external innovation consultancy for small companies with a 50% grant, up to €20,000 a year, with no separate funding application needed.
You have a project and no time to read.
Then we'll tell you which programme fits instead of leaving you to search.