Bavarian Collaborative Research Program (BayVFP) – Digitalization

The Bavarian Collaborative Research Program (BayVFP) – Digitalization supports industry-led, pre-competitive collaborative projects in Bavaria that develop innovative solutions in the fields of information and communication technology as well as electronic systems. Funded are multi-year R&D projects involving at least two partners and covering significant segments of a value creation or technology chain. Eligible applicants are companies from the commercial sector with headquarters or branches in Bavaria, non-university research institutions, as well as public universities and other institutions possessing the professional qualifications and capacity for implementation. Thematic priorities range from hardware and software engineering, data and knowledge management, human-machine communication, and real-time systems to nano-, micro-, and optoelectronic components, mechatronic systems, and quantum technologies. Applications are submitted by the deadlines specified in the announcements via the electronic ELAN procedure.

The funding is granted as a subsidy with funding rates of up to 50% for industrial research and up to 25% for experimental development; SMEs may receive a collaborative bonus of up to 15% on the funding rate. Essential requirements include a multi-year collaborative project with at least two partners, a close relation to digitalization, and compliance with the EU definition of SMEs. For the application, a project outline (template), the AZU form with details about the institution, a detailed project description, a resource plan, and the completed ELAN application are required. Submission takes place at the deadlines set in the thematically focused announcements. The program is aimed at all actors who wish to collaborate on pioneering digitalization projects and benefit from Bavaria’s innovation initiative.