Digitalization Grant ERDF – Transformation Projects
Funding of complex digitization and transformation projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saxony with grants of up to 50% (small enterprises) or 35% (medium-sized enterprises) of eligible expenses. Bonus of 10 percentage points for collective wage agreements. Applications can be submitted at any time via the SAB funding portal before project start.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Free State of Saxony promotes complex projects for digital transformation and the introduction to digitalization topics in commercial small and medium-sized enterprises as well as members of the liberal professions with headquarters or establishments in Saxony, using ERDF funds, in order to digitize business processes, improve IT security, and introduce new business models.
Eligible expenses
- Planning, design, preparation, and technical implementation
- Procurement of hardware and software
- Implementation of the solution including training
- Indirect costs (up to 7% of eligible direct expenses)
Non-eligible expenses
- Pure consulting costs for planning, conceptualization, and technical implementation
- Acquisition of new basic technical equipment without direct project relevance
- Purchase of standard software and standard office software
- Devices, systems, and machines including associated software
- Value-added tax
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Commercially active SMEs according to the EU SME definition or members of the liberal professions
- Registered office or place of business in the Free State of Saxony
- Proof of initiation or expansion of digital business processes
- Project start only after receipt of the confirmation email for the application
Documents required for application
- Completed and signed funding application (SAB form)
- Project description with digitization measures
- Financing plan and cost breakdown
- SME information sheet
- De-minimis declaration
- Confirmation of payment of collective agreement wage or equivalent wage
- Proof of registered office or place of business in Saxony
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of digitization and innovation of the project
- Demonstrable improvement of the level of digitization in the company
- Collective agreement-based or equivalent remuneration as a bonus criterion
Description
Digitalization Grant EFRE – Transformation Projects is aimed at commercially active small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as members of the liberal professions with headquarters or business premises in the Free State of Saxony. Funding supports the initiation and comprehensive digital transformation of operational processes through grants of up to 50% of eligible expenses for small enterprises and 35% for medium-sized enterprises. A bonus of 10 percentage points rewards collectively agreed or equivalent remuneration during the maximum twelve-month project duration. The funding amount can be up to 100,000 euros, provided the minimum expenditure of 5,000 euros is met. Applications must be submitted at any time before the project start via the SAB funding portal, whereby project commencement is only permitted upon receipt of the confirmation of submission.
Eligible expenses include planning, conception, preparation, and technical implementation, including the acquisition of necessary hardware and software as well as training for the introduction of the solution. Indirect costs are recognized as a flat rate of up to 7% of the direct expenses. Excluded are, among others, pure consultancy costs, standard office software, basic technical equipment without direct project relevance, devices and machines including integrated software, as well as VAT and expenses for non-Saxon business premises. Evaluation criteria are the degree of digitalization and innovation of the project, the demonstrable improvement of the digitalization level, and, if applicable, collective wage agreements. The program thus specifically promotes the competitiveness and IT security of Saxon companies through efficient digitalization and the development of new business models.