Research funding by the federal government

At the federal level, basic technologies and developments in central fields of application are promoted within the framework of specialized programs. These are intended to act as growth drivers in many sectors. In addition, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are supported by special technology-neutral funding programs. Funding sources are primarily the BMBF, but also the BMWi, the BMU and the BMELV.

An overview of the current federal funding announcements can be found here.

Federal programs for universities of applied sciences

• FH-Kooperativ - Funding program to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and technology between universities of applied sciences and companies in order to enable the cooperation partners to develop innovative solutions for business practice.

Other programs with a corporate focus:

• Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) - Technology and sector-open funding program for SMEs and business-related research institutions working with them.
      KMU innovativ - funding program to support high-tech projects
• KMU innovativ – Förderprogramm zur Unterstützung von Hightech-Projekten
   

In specialized programs, the BMBF supports specific measures, especially in the following areas

• New technologies
• Life sciences
• Basic research
• Environment and sustainability
• Humanities, cultural and social sciences
• Demographic change
• Research infrastructures

Funding from the BMWi is based on the current key technologies that it has defined as part of its technology and innovation policy.