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

Mat2KMU supports high-risk, pre-competitive R&D projects led by SMEs in materials research. It aims to help innovative SMEs and start-ups develop new materials or significantly improve material properties and related manufacturing or processing methods.

Projects should strengthen technological sovereignty, resource efficiency and commercial competitiveness. Digitalisation and standardised management of material and process data are mandatory components. The programme implements the BMFTR’s Mat2Twin – Material Innovations for the Transformation of Economy and Society framework.

Funding Amount

• Funding per project: No fixed minimum or standard maximum specified.
• Total programme budget: Not specified.
• Industrial research: Up to 50% of eligible costs.
• Experimental development: Up to 25% of eligible costs.
• Medium-sized companies: Possible increase of 10 percentage points.
• Small enterprises: Possible increase of 20 percentage points.
• Additional bonus: Up to 15 percentage points for eligible effective collaboration or extensive dissemination of results.
• Maximum aid intensity: Up to 80% of eligible costs, subject to EU State-aid conditions.
• Applicant contribution: An appropriate own contribution is required.
• Typical project duration: Two years.
• Maximum duration: Up to three years in justified cases.
• Funding instrument: Non-repayable project grant.
• Regulatory State-aid ceilings: €35 million per company and project for industrial research and €25 million for experimental development; these are legal notification thresholds rather than standard programme awards.

Submission Deadlines

Project outlines are assessed twice annually:

• 15 April
• 15 October

The next assessment date is 15 October 2026.

Outlines may be submitted at any time. The dates are assessment cut-offs rather than strict exclusion deadlines; late submissions may be considered at the following cut-off.

Submission Conditions

• The procedure has two stages:
  1. Submission and competitive evaluation of a project outline.
  2. Submission of a formal application following an invitation.
• Both stages use the easy-Online electronic system.
• Project outlines must be submitted in German.
• An English scientific and technical abstract of no more than 400 words is also required.
• The outline may contain up to 10 A4 pages, plus a maximum of one additional page per project partner, cover page and annexes.
• The project must begin between TRL 3 and TRL 7 and increase the material’s maturity by at least one TRL.
• Proposals must involve high scientific and technical risk.
• The material innovation must have strong application and commercial potential.
• Projects must include digitalisation of material or product properties and address at least one additional Mat2Twin topic.
• Applicants must demonstrate integration into relevant data ecosystems.
• Selected use cases must demonstrate interoperability with the MaterialDigital platform.
• All funded projects must use the tools, training and infrastructure offered by MaterialDigital at the required information and adaptation levels.
• Material and process data should follow FAIR data principles, subject to intellectual-property protections.
• Each participating company must submit a declaration confirming that it is not an “undertaking in difficulty.”
• Collaborative projects require a written cooperation agreement.
• Third-party R&D and service contracts may not exceed 40% of the planned total costs of the respective subproject.
• Applicants must present a quantified market assessment, business model, work plan, financing plan and partner-specific exploitation strategy.
• The project must not begin before the formal funding application is submitted and applicable approval requirements are met.

The 2026 amendment expanded the eligible maturity range from TRL 3–6 to TRL 3–7 and strengthened the requirement to demonstrate interoperability with MaterialDigital.

Eligible Types of Businesses and Organisations

Eligible funded applicants:

• Start-ups that meet the SME definition.
• Microenterprises.
• Small enterprises.
• Medium-sized enterprises meeting the EU SME definition.
• Medium-sized companies with no more than 1,000 employees and annual turnover not exceeding €100 million, including associated and partner companies.

Large enterprises may participate as associated, non-funded partners where they support subsequent commercial exploitation.

Eligible Countries

• Germany
• Applicants must have a permanent establishment or branch in Germany when funding is paid.
• Funded project results may be exploited only in Germany, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
• The programme does not provide a separate funded-participation route for foreign entities without a German establishment.

Target TRL

• Starting TRL: TRL 3–7.
• Required progression: At least one TRL during the project.
• The TRL is assessed in relation to the material being developed.
• Applicants must state and justify both the starting and target TRL.