Funding of international collaborative projects within the framework of the National Bioeconomy Strategy "Sustainable Production and Use of Biomass"

The funding guideline of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space supports transnational collaborative projects that advance research and innovation in the sustainable production and utilization of biomass. Interdisciplinary projects in the fields of plant breeding and biotechnological biomass utilization that contribute to the implementation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy are eligible for funding. Eligible applicants include universities, non-university and public research institutions, as well as commercial enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. The objective is to strengthen international research cooperation and develop innovative approaches for more resilient crops and highly efficient biotechnological processes. Submission occurs in three stages: a preliminary proposal (Pre-Proposal) by November 28, 2025, a full proposal (Full-Proposal) by March 25, 2026, and the formal application via the easy-Online system. Selection is based on excellence, societal and ecological relevance (impact), as well as the quality of project structure and management.

A prerequisite for funding is a consortium with at least three partners from three participating countries and an operational site or branch in Germany. Companies must meet the EU SME definition. Up to 100% of eligible expenses are funded, including personnel, investment and consumable materials, travel costs, expenses for intellectual property applications, and subcontracting; the total funding amount for German partners is up to 500,000 euros per consortium for a project duration of up to 36 months. Experts evaluate submissions based on the criteria of “Excellence,” “Relevance and Impact,” and “Implementation.” Interested research teams and companies are encouraged to review the deadlines and requirements and to seek early information from the project management agency Jülich.