This funding guideline supports research infrastructures, research and development projects, scientific information infrastructure, and research networks in the field of application-oriented public research in the Free State of Saxony. It is financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/EFRE) and, for selected regions and activities, through the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The guideline is issued by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism and implemented by the Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB).

The overall objective is to strengthen application-oriented research at publicly funded scientific institutions, improve technology transfer to industry, and contribute to the implementation of Saxony’s regional innovation strategy (RIS3). Under the EFRE strand, the call is intended to unlock and better exploit research and development potential in public research, improve the framework for innovation transfer into the economy, increase actual technology transfer performance, and further develop scientific information infrastructure. Under the JTF strand, the funding specifically supports the structural transformation of the regions of Görlitz, Bautzen, Nordsachsen, Leipzig, and the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz by promoting application-oriented research that contributes to climate-neutral transformation, economic diversification, new value chains, and innovation in these transition regions.

Eligible activities include: improvement of applied research infrastructure, including new construction, conversion measures, and equipment investments; application-oriented research and development projects, including single projects and collaborative projects; projects for scientific libraries and digital information infrastructure; and complex, cooperative research networks with high innovation and sustainability potential. JTF funding is limited to equipment investments for research infrastructure and application-oriented R&D projects with at least validation under relevant operating conditions.

Eligible beneficiaries are non-profit research institutions and higher education institutions in Saxony, including universities, research centres, institutionally funded non-university research institutions, certain affiliated research institutes, the Berufsakademie Sachsen, and eligible higher education alliances. Depending on the funding line, only non-economic, non-aid-relevant activities are supported. Beneficiaries must clearly separate economic and non-economic activities where both exist. They must also demonstrate alignment with the Saxon innovation strategy, relevance to one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and, for JTF projects, a clear benefit for structural change and climate-neutral economic transformation in the target regions.

Funding is provided as project funding in the form of a grant, generally with a funding rate of up to 100%, unless state aid rules require a lower rate. Project duration for R&D projects is generally up to 36 months; research networks may run for 36 months with a possible extension of up to 24 additional months. Eligible costs may include personnel, equipment, external services, intellectual property rights, consumables, and indirect costs via a 25% flat rate in many cases. Applications usually follow a two-step procedure: first submission of a project outline, followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal if the project is positively evaluated. The guideline entered into force after signature on 22 August 2023 and remains valid until 31 December 2029.

Opening: 23.08.2023