This national call supports bold, scientifically grounded, and explicitly high-risk research ideas in materials and materials science (“Experiment!Material”). It is part of the BMFTR’s specialist programme “Material innovations for the transformation of economy and society (Mat2Twin)” and contributes to the overarching strategy “Technological Sovereignty in Germany and Europe” under the FITS2030 framework. The funding intervenes early: it targets exploratory, pre-competitive projects whose main purpose is to establish feasibility, generate decisive new information, and test unconventional hypotheses, methods, or technologies. Direct practical implementation is not required at this stage; failure is explicitly tolerated if the approach is sound and the potential disruptive gain is clear. Downstream pathways—follow-up projects (with or without industry), spin-offs, or further innovation instruments (e.g., the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, EXIST)—are welcome outcomes but not a prerequisite.

Only single-beneficiary projects at universities and non-university research organisations are funded; companies are not eligible applicants. Projects must address materials/materials-science questions with a disruptive angle rather than incremental improvement, and they should indicate plausible future application scenarios even if substantial development work is still missing today. Both theoretical and/or experimental work is eligible, including the conception of novel materials or materials with new/improved properties, related synthesis/manufacturing processes, and processing/handling approaches. Establishing new characterisation and analytics for materials in unconventional applications and using advanced manufacturing technologies are in scope. Cross-cutting enablers (materials safety, standardisation/norms, metrology, modelling/simulation) can be included if needed for feasibility proof.

Clear exclusions apply: developments in battery materials, hydrogen storage materials, use of CO2 as a feedstock, as well as food/cosmetics applications are out of scope because they are addressed elsewhere. Projects must follow good research data practices; data should be stored IP-conform and according to FAIR principles with a view to prospective linkage to the “MaterialDigital” platform (PMD). Regular exchange formats and participation in accompanying/evaluative measures are expected. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant for up to 18 months. For non-economic research at universities/research organisations, eligible project expenditures can be funded up to 100%; universities and university hospitals additionally receive a 20% project flat rate. Typical budget framing elements include up to one full-time equivalent across the project (max. 18 person-months), material/consumables up to 20.000 Euro (sketch level), and travel exclusively for the applicant or hosting a guest scientist up to 3.500 Euro (sketch level). Equipment should be provided by the host institution; procurement and subcontracting are not eligible. The selection process is designed to give unconventional ideas room: a two-stage procedure with short, anonymised sketches assessed by an interdisciplinary panel for plausibility, originality, quality of approach and risk realism, and relevance—even in case of failure. In addition to positively ranked sketches, an equal number are drawn by lot from the “fundable” pool to ensure truly novel ideas get a chance.

Opening: 22.08.2025
Deadline(s): 01.11.2025