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

KMU-innovativ: Energy Efficiency, Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation supports high-risk, pre-competitive and company-driven R&D projects undertaken by SMEs. The programme aims to strengthen the innovation base of German SMEs and facilitate the development of marketable products, processes and services that improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions or support adaptation to climate change.

The programme explicitly welcomes first-time applicants and SMEs with limited previous experience of federal research funding.

Funding Amount

No fixed grant amount per project or total programme budget is specified.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable project grant, normally for up to two years:

• Commercial companies: normally 50% of eligible project costs
• Industrial research: maximum basic aid intensity of 50%
• Experimental development: maximum basic aid intensity of 25%
• SMEs may receive additional funding bonuses under applicable EU state-aid rules
• Total aid intensity may be increased to a maximum of 80% where the applicable conditions are met
• Universities and non-university research institutions undertaking non-economic activities: up to 100% of eligible project expenditure
• Universities and university hospitals may receive an additional 20% project allowance for non-economic research projects
• Costs of obtaining patents and other intangible assets by SMEs: up to 50%

Commercial applicants must provide an appropriate own contribution.

Submission Deadlines

Project outlines may be submitted continuously and are assessed on:

• 15 April
• 15 October

The next assessment deadline is 15 October 2026.

These are assessment cut-off dates rather than strict exclusion deadlines. Outlines submitted after a cut-off may be considered in the following assessment round. Applicants are normally informed of the first-stage assessment result within two months.

Submission Conditions

Applications follow a two-stage procedure:

1. Project outline: Submitted through the KMU-innovativ online outline tool.
2. Formal application: Applicants with positively assessed outlines are invited to submit a complete application through easy-Online.

The project outline:

• Must not exceed ten pages, excluding the cover page, bibliography and letters of intent
• Must use Arial, 11-point font and single line spacing
• Must describe the project objectives, expected results and climate-impact pathway
• Must explain the state of research, previous work, patent situation and novelty
• Must demonstrate scientific, technical and commercial risks
• Must include the market potential, competitive environment and exploitation prospects
• Must present the work plan, partner responsibilities and preliminary financing plan
• Must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to provide its own financial contribution

Projects must be high-risk, pre-competitive, cross-technology and application-oriented. They must contribute to energy efficiency, climate protection or climate adaptation and be important for the participating SMEs’ future market position.

For collaborative projects:

• A significant proportion of the R&D work must be performed by the participating SMEs.
• The principal benefits must accrue to the SMEs.
• At least 50% of the requested funding must benefit the participating SMEs.
• Partners must regulate their cooperation through a written cooperation agreement.
• The project outline and formal applications must be coordinated with the proposed consortium coordinator.

Eligible Types of Businesses

Eligible lead applicants are:

• SMEs meeting the EU SME definition
• First-time applicants for federal research funding
• SMEs with limited previous R&D or public-funding experience
• Research-active SMEs

The following organisations may also receive funding as partners in collaborative projects:

• Universities
• Non-university research institutions
• Municipalities and other local authorities
• Commercial companies that do not meet the SME definition

Universities, research institutions, local authorities and larger companies are not eligible to apply independently under this SME-focused programme.

Eligible Countries

Germany

At the time the grant is paid, companies must maintain a permanent business establishment or branch in Germany. Universities and research institutions must maintain an eligible non-economic establishment in Germany.

European cooperation through EUREKA is expressly welcomed. Foreign partners may participate in cross-border projects but are generally expected to obtain funding from their respective countries. German partners are funded under this programme.

Funded project results may be commercially exploited only in:

• Germany
• European Economic Area countries
• Switzerland