Federal Games Funding
Funding for the development of prototypes and productions of computer games with a funding rate of up to 50% for SMEs and start-ups. Applications can be submitted in continuous submission windows, possible from the 2nd funding call starting 01.08.2025.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
The goal of the federal games funding is to strengthen the competitiveness and production volume of the German computer games industry, to promote employment and business start-ups in the games sector, and to expand the position of German game companies in national and international markets.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Registered office, place of business, or branch in Germany
- Minimum development expenditure of €300,000 per project
- Successful completion of the mandatory cultural test
- Mandatory age rating procedure according to the Youth Protection Act
- Exclusion of games glorifying or trivializing violence
- Show more
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- SME declaration
- Cultural test certificate
- Age marking procedure certificate
- Other self-declarations (UiS, prohibition of better treatment)
Evaluation criteria
- Fulfillment of the cultural test
- Youth protection concept
- Company size and SME status
- Amount of development costs
Description
Federal Games Funding supports small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups nationwide in the development of prototypes and productions of digital computer games. With up to 50% grant funding, personnel expenses and material costs can be partially subsidized, provided that a project has a minimum development effort of €300,000. A prerequisite is the successful completion of the mandatory cultural test and an age rating procedure according to the Youth Protection Act. Content that glorifies or trivializes violence, as well as gambling and its simulations, are excluded. Combining this funding with state subsidies is not possible. Projects with an annual budget volume of up to €50 million are supported, aiming to increase their competitiveness, expand production volume in Germany, and strengthen the position of German game companies in national and international markets.
Companies with headquarters, operations, or branches in Germany can submit applications during continuous submission windows, for example, in the second funding call starting on 01.08.2025. The project start can be no earlier than 01.10.2025. Applications are submitted via the online portal, accompanied by the project sponsor German Aerospace Center (DLR). Required documents include, among others, a detailed project description, a financing plan, the SME declaration, proof of the cultural test and age rating procedure, as well as any additional self-declarations if applicable. Selection is based on the fulfillment of the cultural test, a well-considered youth protection concept, SME status, and the amount of development costs. The goal is a sustainable, economically healthy ecosystem of the German games industry as well as the creation of new jobs and company foundations in the media sector.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.