InnovationFocus "Green Industry & Circular Economy Hamburg"
Call for proposals for the green transformation in Hamburg with a focus on Green Industry and Circular Economy. Individual projects are supported with up to €500,000, cooperative projects with up to €1 million. Project outlines must be submitted by April 15, 2026, and funding applications by July 15, 2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of innovative research and development projects by Hamburg-based companies as well as collaborations with universities and research institutions for the sustainable transformation of industry, strengthening circular innovations, and reducing emissions at the Hamburg location.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel and material costs
- Costs for patents
- External services
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Business location in Hamburg
- Innovative R&D project
- For consortia: Cooperation between company and university/research institution
Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Application documents
- Scientific expert report
- Environmental expert report
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative character of the project
- Sustainability and climate protection aspects
- Economic performance and feasibility
- Circular innovations
Description
The funding initiative “InnovationFocus Green Industry & Circular Economy Hamburg” by IFB Hamburg supports Hamburg-based companies as well as their cooperative projects with universities and research institutions in innovative research and development endeavors aimed at the sustainable transformation of industry. Individual projects can be funded with a grant of up to €500,000, while cooperative projects have a total funding amount of up to €1 million available. The funding rate for companies ranges between 25% and 55%, depending on the size of the enterprise, whereas universities and research institutions can receive support of up to 100%. The focus lies on resource-efficient processes, circular product designs, emission reduction strategies, as well as novel energy carriers and storage technologies. Eligible expenses include personnel and material costs, external services, and patent costs. With a project duration of 18 to 36 months, the program aims at developing competitive and low-emission industrial processes at the Hamburg location. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, contribution to climate and environmental protection, economic feasibility, and the potential of circular innovations.
Eligible to apply are SMEs with a business location in Hamburg as well as universities and research institutions involved as partners in consortia. A prerequisite for funding is an innovative R&D project with a clear sustainability focus. Interested projects initially submit a two- to three-page project outline by April 15, 2026; the subsequent application phase ends on July 15, 2026. Required documents include, in addition to the outline, a complete funding application, a scientific expert report, and an environmental assessment. Selection is carried out by the IFB award committee based on the submitted documents. The goal of this initiative is to advance the green transformation of Hamburg’s industry, promote circular value creation, and sustainably reduce emissions.
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