Industrial Collective Research (IGF)
The IGF supports cross-company research projects in a thematically and technologically open manner, primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises. Applications can be submitted at any time.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of research projects organized across companies by legally independent, non-profit research associations to develop new technologies and support their transfer into industry.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Expenditures for equipment
- Services of third parties for achieving objectives
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Eligibility to apply through legally independent, non-profit research associations
- Cross-company orientation of the research projects
- Expectation of new insights in modern technologies
- Economic benefit for SMEs
- Concept for transfer to industry and feasibility
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Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation
- Sustainability aspects
- Economic benefit for SMEs
- Quality of project management
Description
The Industrial Collective Research (IGF) funds technology- and topic-open R&D projects that are organized across companies by legally independent, non-profit research associations. The focus is particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that operate jointly within value chains and thus leverage synergies. Up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 750,000 euros, can be applied for projects with a duration of up to 36 months. Funding is provided, among other things, for personnel costs, equipment expenses, and third-party services necessary to achieve the project goals. A key requirement is a minimum economic co-financing of 10% of the total grant. Furthermore, compliance with the German Sustainability Strategy and the goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045 is mandatory, as is the establishment of a project-accompanying committee with at least three representatives from the business sector, including at least three SMEs.
The IGF aims to develop new technologies and accelerate knowledge transfer into the economy. Applications can be submitted continuously, allowing flexible planning of R&D activities. Evaluation criteria include the level of innovation, sustainability aspects, economic benefits for SMEs, and the quality of project management. Applications can be submitted at any time via the Industrial Collective Research portal, where applicants submit the outline application for review in PT-Outline and, upon positive evaluation, submit the Phase-2 application in easy-Online. The DLR Project Management Agency oversees the process and ensures qualified evaluation and administration.