Innovation Field "Innovative Materials and Intelligent Production"
Funding of research and development of innovative materials and networked production processes in NRW. The goal is increased resource efficiency and climate protection in products, materials, and manufacturing methods.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for investments in the development, testing, and application of new materials, recycling and manufacturing technologies, as well as digitalization solutions for a resource-efficient, energy-efficient, and circular industry in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Procurement of equipment, systems, and associated services
- Construction measures
- Digitalization solutions
Non-eligible expenses
- Retroactive costs
- Financing and borrowing costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Founders
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Registered office or establishment in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Innovation project in the field of materials and production
- Cooperation with research institutions or proof of own R&D capacities
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Proof of cooperation partners or R&D capacities
- Curricula vitae
Evaluation criteria
- Contribution to the Circular Economy
- Innovative content of the material and manufacturing technology
- Relevance for resource-efficient production
Description
The innovation field "Innovative Materials and Intelligent Production" strengthens North Rhine-Westphalia's role as a key industrial region in Europe. It encompasses the entire value chain from raw material refinement through chemistry, metal production and processing to forward-looking application areas such as nanomaterials, lightweight technologies, high-performance polymers, and bio-based raw materials. The goal is the development and testing of resource-efficient, durable, and recyclable materials as well as intelligent manufacturing technologies (Industry 4.0). Through innovation competitions and programs like IN4climate.NRW or Kunststoffland NRW, research institutions, SMEs, and large enterprises are networked. Via regionally anchored clusters, competence centers, and start-up hubs, the state promotes transfer, qualification, and cooperation processes to accelerate the application of new material and production solutions.
Business model innovations, intelligent production systems, and smart logistics complement materials research and open up new market opportunities. Especially small and medium-sized enterprises are supported in their development and scaling projects: for example, through patent-validating grants, R&D coaching, and digital platforms for "Made in NRW." To achieve climate protection goals, bio-based materials as well as energy-efficient and circular manufacturing processes are also in focus. At the same time, the state promotes the resilience of Industry 4.0 with programs for cybersecurity and qualification measures. This creates a dynamic innovation ecosystem in which North Rhine-Westphalia is positioned as a pioneer for sustainable, intelligent manufacturing and materials management.
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