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 ESF Plus STEM Skilled Personnel Programme in the Free State of Saxony supports employers in recruiting qualified personnel for innovation, innovation management and technology-transfer activities. It provides grants towards the personnel costs of Innovation Assistants, Innovation Managers and Transfer Assistants, with the broader aim of strengthening innovation capacity, knowledge transfer and future-ready employment in Saxony.

Funding Amount

Funding covers 50% of eligible personnel expenditure.

The indicative maximum grants assume full-time employment, the maximum eligible annual expenditure and the full funding period. Part-time grants are adjusted accordingly.

An applicant may employ up to two people concurrently under this funding component, but no more than one Innovation Manager. Specific additional limits apply to Transfer Assistants employed by universities, Fraunhofer institutes and Max Planck institutes.

Awards remain subject to available public funds.

Submission Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; no fixed submission deadline is stated.

However:

• The application must be submitted before the employment project begins and before a binding employment contract is signed.
• Only projects with an implementation period ending no later than 31 December 2028 can currently be funded.
• An employment contract signed before application normally makes the project ineligible, unless it contains a withdrawal clause that applies if funding is not awarded.

Submission Conditions

• Applications must be submitted through the SAB funding portal.
• The application must be submitted before signing a legally binding employment contract and before the project begins.
• Required documents include a project description, job description, draft employment contract and evidence of the candidate’s qualifications.
• The position must be newly created and must not replace existing personnel.
• Employment should normally last at least 12 months.
• The workplace must be located in Saxony.
• Part-time employment must comprise at least 20 hours per week.
• The funded person must not have voluntarily terminated employment with a Saxon company during the six months preceding the application, although justified exceptions may be permitted.
• Managing directors, board members, shareholders and certain close relatives of shareholders are not eligible as funded personnel.
• Beneficiaries must submit progress reports every six months and claim reimbursement for expenditure already incurred.

Additional personnel-specific conditions apply:

• Innovation Assistants: Must normally have obtained their qualifying degree within five years before starting the funded employment. The position must be a new, permanent appointment.
• Innovation Managers: Must hold a relevant business, scientific, engineering, agricultural, forestry or food-science qualification. In companies with fewer than ten employees, only up to 50% of a full-time position may be funded.
• Transfer Assistants: Must hold a relevant qualification and have at least three years of professional experience in business, research or technology transfer.

Eligible Types of Businesses

For Innovation Assistants and Innovation Managers:

• SMEs in the commercial economy
• SMEs in the cultural and creative industries
• SMEs in the social and healthcare economy
• Social and healthcare enterprises may qualify regardless of their size

For Transfer Assistants:

• Universities
• Research institutions
• Berufsakademie Sachsen
• Chambers
• Industry or professional associations
• Technology agencies
• Technology-transfer centres
• Technology and start-up centres
• Transfer offices of universities and non-university research institutions
• Other eligible technology intermediaries

Applicants must have their registered office or a permanent business establishment in Saxony.

Eligible Countries

Germany – Free State of Saxony

The applicant must have its registered office or a permanent business establishment in Saxony, and the funded employee’s workplace must be located in Saxony. An organisation headquartered outside Saxony may therefore qualify if it maintains an eligible establishment in the region.