The Low-Threshold Innovation Support Programme for SMEs and Craft Enterprises (nIFP) aims to strengthen the market position of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft businesses located in Lower Saxony through innovative projects. The program supports applied, low-threshold innovation projects that go beyond the current technological status within the company, focusing on marketable products, production processes, services, or organizational and process innovations.

The funding is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises listed in the commercial register or defined under the Crafts Code. Eligible applicants must have a registered office or operating facility in Lower Saxony. The program offers a non-repayable grant of up to 35% of eligible expenses, or up to 45% for small enterprises in designated transition regions. The maximum funding amount per project is 100.000 Euro.

Supported projects include experimental development efforts using internal resources to create new or improved, marketable solutions or to optimize internal processes. Funding is only available for projects with eligible total costs exceeding 200.000 Euro for process or organizational innovation. Projects must align with the Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) of Lower Saxony, covering sectors such as mobility, life sciences, energy technologies and systems, agriculture and food economy, new materials, production technology, maritime economy, and the cross-sectional field of the digital economy.

Excluded from funding are projects that have already started, non-SME applicants, projects involving only routine improvements, and any project already supported under another EU or regional funding program. Moreover, if a company is already running another project funded under this guideline, it is not eligible to apply.

Funding is provided under the reimbursement principle. Applicants must secure the full financing of the project before applying. Qualitative assessment criteria apply and must be met for an application to be considered eligible.

Applications must be submitted via the NBank customer portal before project start. For enterprises governed by the Crafts Code, prior consultation with the respective chamber’s innovation advisory service is recommended.