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Funding for projects on the development of high-performance and energy-efficient AI processor systems (Kolibri)
Funding of collaborative projects for the development of high-performance and energy-efficient AI processor systems for edge applications. Project outlines to be submitted by 23.03.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The goal is the pre-competitive research and development of innovative, high-performance, and energy-efficient AI processor systems (e.g., ASIC, FPGA, GPU, neuromorphic, or photonic), including hardware-software codesign for edge applications.
Eligible expenses
- Expenditure basis according to AZA (personnel, material resources, etc.)
- Project flat rate (20 %)
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Consortium requirement: Collaboration of several independent partners from science and industry
- Location: Operating site or branch office in Germany required
- Innovation: Solution must significantly surpass the state of the art
- Proof of functionality by means of a hardware demonstrator
- Utilization of results primarily in Germany, EEA, or Switzerland
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Documents required for application
- Stage 1: Electronic project outline (max. 15–20 pages)
- Stage 2: Formal grant application (AZA form)
- Detailed project description
- Milestone planning
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation and technical superiority
- Cooperation structure within the consortium
- Proof of demonstrator functionality
- Relevance for edge applications and exploitation potential
Description
The program funded under the Hightech Agenda Germany supports nationwide collaborative projects for pre-competitive research and development of innovative AI processor systems for edge applications. The goal is the realization of powerful and energy-efficient architectures – from ASICs and FPGAs to neuromorphic or photonic approaches – with a special focus on holistic hardware-software codesign. Public institutions, companies, as well as universities and research institutions with operations in Germany can apply for a non-repayable grant based on expenditures. Personnel and material costs are funded in accordance with the AZA guideline, along with a project flat rate of 20% of total expenditures. The funding amount covers up to 100% of expenses and is designed for a project duration of up to 60 months. A feasibility demonstration in the form of a hardware demonstrator serves as proof of functionality and innovative strength.
For the application, close cooperation of at least two independent partners from science and industry is required, demonstrating a clear superiority over the state of the art. Companies contribute a co-financing share of 50%, SMEs at least 40%. A formal research data management plan as well as the exploitation of results in Germany, the EEA, or Switzerland are mandatory. The two-stage selection process begins with the submission of an electronic project outline (max. 15–20 pages) by March 23, 2026, followed by the formal funding application using the AZA form. Evaluation criteria include degree of innovation, demonstrator functionality, consortium structure, and relevance for edge applications. Experts ensure excellence through external review and support of promising projects.
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