Support for the establishment, expansion, and operation of strategically significant innovation clusters in Hesse (Innovation Clusters)

The funding is aimed at companies, consortia, and public institutions that wish to establish, expand, or operate strategically significant innovation clusters in Hesse. The goal is to strengthen regional innovative capacity and intensify knowledge and technology transfer among economic partners. A prerequisite is that the cluster project has not yet started and that the majority of membership fees come from economic actors. Furthermore, the award and state aid regulations according to Art. 27 Regulation (EU) 651/2014 (GBER) must be complied with, and the project must have a clear spatial reference to Hesse. Applications can be submitted continuously to WIBank, with a project description to be submitted in advance to the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing, and Rural Areas.

A non-repayable grant of up to 50 percent of eligible expenses is funded, provided as project and co-financing. The funding rate enables a significant relief of infrastructure and administrative costs and supports the long-term start-up or expansion of existing cluster structures. There is no legal entitlement to funding; the funding decision is made based on the funding guidelines of the State of Hesse for innovation promotion (Official Gazette 52/2024, p. 1252). WIBank, as the central development bank of the State of Hesse, accompanies the entire application process and manages the disbursement of funds as well as the final proof of use.