Funding for Regional Transformation Networks (Module A)
The BMWK supports the establishment and expansion of regional transformation networks in the automotive and supplier industry in German regions. Applications for outlines are possible until 06.03.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the establishment and expansion of regional transformation networks for the development, updating, and implementation of regional transformation strategies. The goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of the automotive and supplier industry, support technological change in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and establish sustainable, non-economic structures in the long term.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Rent and ancillary costs
- Events and public relations
- Training measures
- Materials and services (studies, analyses)
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Non-eligible expenses
- Basic equipment (furniture)
- IT equipment (hardware/software)
- Business trips outside the EEA
- Personnel expenses from public budgets
- Revenue generation through services
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Headquartered in Germany
- Activity as a neutral intermediary in a clearly defined economic region
- Networking within a defined vehicle and supplier industry region
- Separate accounting for economic and non-economic activities
- Project must not have been started yet
Documents required for application
- One-page cover sheet with key data
- Keyword/Acronym of the network
- Full version of the network name
- Brief description of the transformation concept
- Detailed concept description (max. 14 pages)
- Formal funding application via easy-Online
- Detailed financing plan
- Project description
Evaluation criteria
- Regional transformation needs
- Appropriateness of the regional delineation
- Fit with the joint project
- Added value compared to existing initiatives
- Content impulses of the network
- Broad targeting of the target groups
- Suitability of the strategy process
- Sustainability of the transformation strategy
- Plausibility of the network concept
- Sustainability of the network structures
- Appropriateness of expenditures/costs
Description
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) supports the establishment and further development of regional transformation networks in the German automotive and supplier industry through funding module A. Funding is provided to companies and public institutions that act as neutral intermediaries in clearly defined economic regions. The focus is on the development, updating, and sustainable implementation of regional transformation strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The funding covers a period of up to 36 months with a funding rate of 100 percent – covering personnel costs, rents, events, public relations, training measures, material and services, as well as travel expenses. Among other requirements, a separate accounting for mixed operations involving economic and non-economic activities is mandatory, and the project must not have commenced at the time of application.
Interested consortia consisting of SMEs, research institutions, municipalities, economic or civil society actors submit their unilateral cover sheets, short and detailed descriptions, as well as a comprehensive concept presentation (max. 14 pages) electronically via the easy-Online system by March 6, 2026. The evaluation takes place in two stages: initially, a panel of experts assesses the outlines based on criteria such as regional transformation needs, networking concept, added value compared to existing initiatives, and sustainability of network structures. Successful outlines will be invited to submit a formal application. Through this funding, the BMWi aims to establish sustainable structures that, through continuous exchange of knowledge and experience, will drive structural change in the regional automotive clusters in the long term.
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