Innovation in SMEs - Innovation Projects (NÖWTF)
Funding of innovation projects for small enterprises in Lower Austria: Grant of up to 40% (max. €20,000) of eligible costs for project costs starting from €20,000. Applications can be submitted until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Strengthening the innovation capacity of small commercial enterprises in Lower Austria through financial support for research and development projects with project costs of at least €20,000, in order to promote innovation initiatives and facilitate entry into R&D.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- External services
- Overhead costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Travel expenses
- Patent costs
- Financing costs
- Discounts and rebates
- Value-added tax with input tax deduction entitlement
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Small enterprises in the commercial sector
- Projects at the business location in Lower Austria
- Project costs of at least € 20,000
- Application submission before project start
Documents required for application
- Application via the Economic Development Portal
- Project description according to the guidelines
- Project cost tool
- Annual financial statement/balance sheet of the last fiscal year
- Quotes from external service providers
- Registration for social security of project staff
Description
The innovation program specifically supports small enterprises in Lower Austria that implement research and development projects with a total volume of at least €20,000. With a grant of up to 40% of eligible costs (max. €20,000), the program lowers the entry barriers to innovative initiatives and assists companies in building know-how at the location. Eligible costs include personnel expenses for researchers, technicians, and other staff directly involved in the project, external services, as well as proportional overhead costs. Travel expenses, patent and financing costs, as well as discounts, rebates, and VAT (if input tax deduction applies) are excluded. The target group consists of small commercial enterprises that carry out their R&D projects at their business location in Lower Austria and submit the application via the economic development portal before the project start.
The following documents are required for application submission by no later than 31.12.2026 (subject to budget): completed online application, project description according to the guideline, cost breakdown, annual financial statement/balance sheet of the last fiscal year, offers from external service providers, and proof of social security for project staff. The application can be easily submitted digitally, and concluding a funding agreement secures the disbursement of approved funds. Through this funding, the program significantly contributes to strengthening the innovation capacity and competitiveness of small enterprises and facilitates a practical entry into R&D.
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