Brandenburg Innovation Specialists (BIF 2022)

Brandenburg Innovation Specialists (BIF 2022) supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the state of Brandenburg in hiring highly qualified junior staff as working students and innovation assistants. Part-time employment within the framework of operational innovation tasks is subsidized with a grant of up to 60% of eligible personnel costs – up to €1,650 monthly. Working students with a minimum gross monthly salary of €1,076 for 20 hours per week receive funding for 6 to 12 months; innovation assistants with a minimum gross salary of €2,750 for 38 hours per week benefit from 12 to 18 months of funding, optionally up to a maximum of 24 months if the innovation task can be assigned to a sustainable sector. Only newly created, additional jobs in EU-defined SMEs headquartered in Brandenburg are eligible for funding, regardless of whether contractual relationships with universities already exist or not. Approval is granted taking into account the degree of innovation, sustainability aspects, economic viability, and the qualification of the specialist.

Interested SMEs can submit an application at any time via the ILB customer portal and receive, upon request, up to 60% subsidy on the gross wages of their innovation specialists. Required documents include a project description, employment contract or draft, enrollment certificate or proof of degree, information on SME status, and a de minimis declaration. Funding is granted after electronic confirmation of receipt, allowing the project to commence prior to approval. With this initiative, the state of Brandenburg, together with the European Social Fund Plus, promotes the innovative strength of its economy while simultaneously addressing the securing of skilled personnel in the region.