The state of Lower Saxony promotes municipal consulting services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative aims to integrate businesses more effectively into the innovation landscape and encourage the exchange of information and cooperation with regional scientific institutions. Eligible applicants include municipalities, associations of municipalities, or institutions entrusted with economic development tasks in Lower Saxony.

Funding is provided for:
- Qualified consulting services for SMEs on the potential of new technologies, process or organizational innovations, and their implementation.
- Development and implementation of project ideas into new products or services.
- Support for applications for innovation funding programs.

Additionally, preparatory and follow-up discussions cover:
- Assessing the need for support.
- Providing information on regional scientific institutions and relevant networks.
- Connecting businesses with potential cooperation partners.
- Guidance on public funding opportunities and expert consultations.

Supporting activities such as events, project management costs, and public relations efforts are also eligible for funding. The funding consists of a non-repayable grant covering up to 40% of eligible costs in more developed regions (SER areas) and up to 60% in transition regions (ÜR areas).

Key conditions:
- Personnel, external consulting, and material costs are eligible.
- A minimum of 30% of total eligible expenses must be spent on qualified consulting.
- Consulting services are billed per day of work (max. 1,200.00 Euro including VAT per day for external services).
- A maximum of 10 consulting days per company per year.
- One preliminary discussion per company per year.
- The funding period is up to four years.
- Projects with total costs under 200,000 Euro receive lump-sum funding.
- Milestone planning must be submitted with the project description.

The application must be submitted before the project begins via the NBank customer portal.