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Application-oriented research and development; application for funding

The Bavarian Research Foundation provides grants to support application-oriented, technology-oriented research projects that are carried out in cooperation between science and industry.

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  • Förderantrag Bayerische Forschungsstiftung

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Purpose

The Bavarian Research Foundation promotes application-oriented research and development. The funding is intended to enable or accelerate the implementation of research and development results in new products, processes and technologies.

Object

Funding is largely open to all technologies. The funding priorities are in the areas of life sciences, information and communication technologies, microsystems technology, materials science, energy and the environment, mechatronics, nanotechnology and process and production technology. Eligible for funding are projects that are carried out in close cooperation between one (or more) company and one (or more) partner(s) from the scientific community (joint projects). As a rule, the Research Foundation supports projects in the field of industrial research.

Recipients of funding

Eligible applicants are independent commercial enterprises, members of the liberal professions, universities, non-university research institutes and universities of applied sciences, as well as members and institutions of universities that are authorized to carry out research and development projects. All eligible applicants must have a registered office, a permanent establishment or a branch in Bavaria. Funding will only be granted to recipients who also have their registered office, a permanent establishment or a branch in Bavaria at the time the funding is disbursed.

Type and amount

Funding is provided in the form of grants as part of project funding. It amounts to up to 50% of the eligible costs in the case of industrial research. Preference will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined by the EU that are involved in the projects.

Eligible costs

The following costs are eligible for funding:

  • Personnel costs (researchers, technicians and other personnel, insofar as they are deployed for the project) in the amount of the actual costs, up to the maximum amounts currently applicable at the Bavarian Research Foundation
  • Costs for instruments and equipment (special direct costs), if applicable in the amount of the pro rata depreciation of the project
  • To a small extent, costs for contract work used exclusively for the research and development project (external services)
  • Additional other operating costs (including for materials, consumables and the like) that arise directly from research and development activities
  • Additional overhead costs up to 10% of the total of the above costs

Universities as well as members and institutions of universities and their equivalent organizational units are funded on an expenditure basis. Non-university research institutions can be funded on a cost basis.

  • The project must be associated with a considerable technical and economic risk and be characterized by a high degree of innovation.
  • The main parts of the project must be carried out in Bavaria. The involvement of non-Bavarian partners (usually without funding) is possible.
  • The applicants or project participants from the commercial sector must use an appropriate amount of their own or external funds that are not replaced by other public financial aid or reduced interest rates.
  • Projects that have already begun at the time of application are not eligible for funding.
  • Due to the non-profit purpose of the Bavarian Research Foundation, the project participants are obliged to make the results of the funded projects available to the public in a timely manner.
  • There is a fundamental obligation to grant licenses resulting from the funded project at standard market, non-discriminatory conditions.

  • The following documents are required:
    • Detailed technical explanation of the project in accordance with the outline specified by the Research Foundation.
    • Evidence to secure funding (e.g. letters of intent or participation commitments from the companies)
    • Documents explaining or substantiating cost estimates (e.g. offers obtained)

Before submitting your application

  • Funding advice at the locations in Munich and Nuremberg
  • Ideally, submission of a non-binding project outline to clarify the basic eligibility of the project for funding
  • Possibility of submitting a draft application for a preliminary structural review

Application

  • In writing to the office of the Bavarian Research Foundation
  • Electronic application form for postal or digital delivery or online application form using an ELSTER company account
  • Applications must contain the following information:
    • General information (including subject, applicant, participants, brief description, start and duration)
    • Cost and financing plan
    • Detailed technical explanation of the project

Decision-making procedure

  • Review by external, non-Bavarian experts
    (evaluation criteria include relevance and originality, level of innovation, scientific and economic risk, coherence of the work program, appropriateness of the resources required, composition and competence of the consortium, feasibility and usability of the results)
  • Three-stage decision-making process in the committees of the Research Foundation (Scientific Advisory Board, Foundation Board, Foundation Council)
  • Issuance of the approval notice

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Applications can be submitted at any time and are not subject to any deadlines. Projects are approved three times a year, in March/April, June/July and November/December.

As a rule, a period of no more than six months elapses between submission of the application and approval.

Status: 08.01.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerische Forschungsstiftung
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