EXIST Research Transfer
Support for research-intensive business start-ups with the aim of developing and validating technologies from universities and research institutions to market maturity.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the spin-off of research-intensive technologies from German universities and research institutions through funding of personnel costs, materials, and services for market launch and scaling.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs for founder scholarships
- Operating and material costs
- Services (e.g., external consulting, patent consulting)
- Travel expenses related to the project
- Coaching and qualification measures
Non-eligible expenses
- Operating costs without direct project relation
- Infrastructure investments outside the project scope
- Retroactive costs
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Educational Institutions
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Startup idea based on solid research results from German universities or research institutions
- Cooperation or support commitment from a university or research institution
- Existence of a viable business and technology concept
Documents required for application
- Application form (EXIST-FT attachment)
- Business plan/technology concept
- Resumes of the founders
- Financing plan
- Letter of support from the university/research institution
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation and market potential of the technology
- Scientific basis and maturity level of the research result
- Qualification and composition of the founding team
- Sustainability and scalability of the project
Description
The EXIST Research Transfer program supports technology-oriented spin-offs nationwide that are based on solid research results from German universities or research institutions. The goal is the validation and market introduction of innovative technologies through targeted support of personnel costs, material resources, and external services. A special focus lies on the transition from the laboratory to the practical phase: founding teams from academia, students, and prospective founders receive a scholarship in the first 18 months to develop a viable business and technology concept. The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant with a funding rate of up to 100% of the project-specific expenses.
Eligible participants include start-ups, educational institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that demonstrate close cooperation with the university or research institution and present a convincing financing model. Eligible expenses include, in addition to founder scholarships, material and supply costs, patent-related consulting, external coaching, as well as travel expenses related to the project. Exclusions include general operating costs without project relevance, retroactive costs, or infrastructure investments outside the defined project scope. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, market potential, scientific maturity, team qualifications, as well as the sustainability and scalability of the project. The deadlines are binding and correspond to the respective announcements and must be accompanied by the application form, business plan, founders’ CVs, a financing plan, and a letter of support from the university.
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