aws Innovation Protection
Funding program for the strategic protection and exploitation of intellectual property (IP) for Austrian companies – from brief telephone consultations and individual meetings to comprehensive coaching with subsidies. Applications accepted continuously via the aws Funding Manager.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
With aws Innovation Protection, we support companies in identifying, strategically securing, defending, and optimally utilizing important intellectual property rights (IP) – especially in the field of Green Tech. The goal is the development and implementation of a company-specific innovation protection strategy through coaching combined with non-repayable grants, in order to sustainably secure the competitive position.
Eligible expenses
- Fees for external consultants (IP coaching, FTO, audit)
- Personnel costs for new IP management
- Costs for training and qualification measures
- Costs for software licenses and IP management infrastructure
- Costs for training data and know-how (de minimis compliant)
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Non-eligible expenses
- Travel expenses
- Value-added tax (if deductible input tax)
- Payroll-related costs
- Marketing costs and ongoing consulting follow-up costs
- Court costs and damages in intellectual property proceedings
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Business location in Austria
- Activity in all sectors (module-specific)
- Compliance with formal aws guidelines
- Submission via the aws funding manager
Documents required for application
- Application via aws Fördermanager
- Project or product description
- Cost breakdown/calculation
- Proof of company headquarters in Austria
- Gender-differentiated full-time equivalent statement
Evaluation criteria
- Fulfillment of First-Come-First-Serve
- Relevance of the IP protection strategy for the business model
- Quality of external consulting and coaching measures
- Sustainable implementation of IP processes
Description
The funding program aws Innovation Protection is aimed at Austrian companies of all sizes – from start-ups and founders to SMEs and large enterprises – supporting them in strategically identifying intellectual property (IP), legally securing it, and using it profitably. Through brief telephone consultations, the individual discover.IP discussion with experts from the Austrian Patent Office and aws, as well as comprehensive coaching, tailored innovation protection strategies are developed. A particular focus is placed on green technologies and AI applications. The goal is the sustainable strengthening of the competitive position through an agile IP roadmap, which is systematically integrated into existing innovation and business processes. Applications can be submitted at any time via the online tool aws Fördermanager; a deadline runs until 05.01.2026.
Up to 80% of eligible costs are funded (grants ranging from EUR 20,000 to EUR 150,000 per project), including fees for external consultants for coaching, FTO analyses, audits, and IP filings, personnel costs for IP management, qualification measures, as well as software licenses and infrastructure for managing intellectual property rights. Non-eligible costs include travel expenses, VAT (if deductible), ancillary wage costs, marketing or follow-up consulting costs, as well as legal and compensation costs. Evaluation is based on first-come-first-served, relevance of the IP strategy to the business model, quality of expert services, and sustainable implementation of IP processes. Requirements include a business location in Austria, submission via aws Fördermanager, and compliance with formal aws guidelines. The project duration can be up to 36 months and ends no later than the contractually agreed term.