Overall Description

This funding topic supports innovative and transferable solutions contributing to the transition from fossil and nuclear energy toward a sustainable and climate-neutral energy system. It covers renewable-energy generation, energy storage and distribution, energy efficiency, energy saving, demand flexibility and integration of electricity, heat and mobility.

DBU supports interdisciplinary projects combining applied research, practical technology development, demonstration, digitalisation, environmental communication and education. Particular consideration is given to projects involving small and medium-sized enterprises.

Funding Amount

• Typical DBU funding per project: €100,000–€400,000, excluding the applicant’s own contribution.
• Maximum per project: No fixed maximum; funding is determined individually.
• Funding instrument: Earmarked, non-repayable grant.
• Co-financing: Applicants must generally provide and document an own contribution.
• Indicative funding rate: Cost-based funding is usually approximately 50%.
• Companies generally contribute 75% of development-related project costs and 50% of research-related project costs. More favourable rates may apply to SMEs and cooperation projects.
• Grants up to €175,000 are approved by the DBU Secretary General. Larger grants require additional assessment and approval by the DBU Board of Trustees.

Submission Deadlines

• Deadline: No fixed deadline; project outlines and applications may be submitted at any time.
• Early submission is recommended because funding is competitive.
• Indicative assessment period: approximately four to six months for complete applications not requiring additional clarification or external review.

Submission Conditions

• Applications normally follow a two-stage procedure:
  1. Submission of a project outline through the DBU online portal, normally 3–10 pages.
  2. Submission of a complete funding application, normally around 20 pages, following an invitation from DBU.
• Applications and project reports must generally be submitted in German.
• Projects must be innovative, exemplary, environmentally beneficial and practically implementable.
• Proposed solutions should have model character and transfer potential.
• Projects must not begin before DBU approval unless early commencement has been expressly authorised.
• Applicants must generally provide an own contribution and document total project expenditure.
• Cooperation projects require a joint application and a separate cost plan for each partner.
• Typical project duration is 18–36 months; longer projects are considered only in justified exceptional cases.
• Applicants must comply with DBU funding guidelines and applicable EU State aid rules.
• Rebound effects should be considered in projects addressing operational energy efficiency.
• Biomass projects should focus on optimising existing installations and using waste or residual materials.
• Pure planning or investment subsidies for photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, charging stations and similar standard installations are generally not eligible.
• Micro wind turbines are generally not eligible.
• Pure investment projects and basic research without an implementation perspective are excluded.

Eligible Types of Businesses

Funding is generally available to legal entities, including:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises – given particular consideration.
• Other companies.
• Renewable-energy and energy-technology developers.
• Manufacturing and processing businesses.
• Energy utilities and service providers.
• Universities and higher-education institutions.
• Scientific and research institutions.
• Municipalities and other local authorities.
• Associations and non-profit organisations.
• Educational and vocational-training institutions.
• Other legally constituted organisations.

Natural persons and state institutions may be supported in individual cases following a separate assessment.

Eligible Countries

• Primary eligible country:
  • Germany
• International projects:
  • Limited funding is available for international projects, primarily in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
  • Projects outside these regions may be considered individually.
  • International projects must primarily be implemented abroad and substantially involve local partners.
  • DBU particularly supports cooperation between a German applicant and local international partners.