Disclaimer: This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or difference in interpretation between this translation and the original German version, the original German version shall prevail.

Overall Description

The HORIZON Premium (HORIZON-Prämie) supports SMEs in Saxony with the cost of external services connected with preparing and implementing Horizon Europe applications. It aims to increase successful SME participation in Horizon Europe, reduce barriers to assuming a coordinator role and strengthen the innovation capacity, internationalisation and competitiveness of Saxon companies.

Funding Amount

The grant covers up to 50% of eligible external-service costs, subject to the following maximum amounts:

• Initial phase: Up to €5,000
• Initial phase where the SME is project coordinator: Up to €10,000
• Start phase for an approved coordinator-led project: An additional €15,000
• Analysis of an unsuccessful proposal: Up to €1,000

A successful coordinator may therefore receive up to €25,000 across the initial and start phases. The rejection analysis applies to unsuccessful proposals and cannot replace the requirement for an assessment based on the European Commission’s evaluation.

A company may receive a maximum of three HORIZON Premium awards during the Horizon Europe programme period. The total programme budget is not specified; awards are subject to available budget resources.

Submission Deadlines

• Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis to the Saxon Development Bank.
• The application must be received by SAB before the funded activity begins. Signing the contract with the external service provider is generally considered the start of the project and must therefore not occur before application submission.

Submission Conditions

• The applicant must be an SME with a registered office or operating establishment in Saxony.
• The supported Horizon Europe participation and coordination activities must be carried out in Saxony.
• The intended external service provider must be identified in the application.
• The applicant must provide evidence of the service provider’s expertise in European research and innovation funding.
• The application must include the service provider’s assessment that the proposed Horizon Europe project can meet the relevant call’s quality thresholds.
• The applicant must submit the required SME assessment documents, company register extract and representation documents.
• The consultancy contract must not be signed before SAB receives the application.
• Funding cannot cover services already financed or provided free of charge by the European Commission, the German Federal Government or the Free State of Saxony.
• Companies in difficulty are excluded.
• Companies subject to an outstanding EU State-aid recovery order are excluded.
• Certain activities relating to primary agricultural production, agricultural processing and marketing, milk-substitute products, fisheries and aquaculture are excluded.
• Payment for the initial phase requires the European Commission’s confirmation that it received the Horizon Europe proposal and documentation of the service provider’s costs.
• An additional start-phase grant requires the European Commission Grant Agreement.
• A rejection analysis must be based on the European Commission’s evaluation. It is not eligible where the proposal exceeded the quality threshold but was unfunded solely because of insufficient European call budget.

Eligible Types of Applicants

• Small enterprises
• Medium-sized enterprises
• Craft businesses meeting the EU SME definition

Applicants must have their registered office or an operating establishment in Saxony. Universities, research organisations, chambers and consultants are not direct beneficiaries but may deliver the funded external services.

Eligible Countries

• Germany – Saxony.
• The applicant must have its registered office or an operating establishment in the Free State of Saxony. The resulting Horizon Europe project may involve partners from other eligible countries under the conditions of the relevant European call.