Lower Saxony Innovation Support Program for Research and Development in Companies
Funding of research and development projects in small and medium-sized enterprises as well as cooperations with research institutions in Lower Saxony. Grants up to €500,000 for companies and up to 100% (max. €300,000) for research institutions. Applications can be submitted continuously, processing time approx. 3–4 months. New thematic focus "Circular Economy" with application deadline 15.01.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The program supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small companies with medium market capitalization, and research institutions collaborating in industrial research and experimental development of new or significantly improved products, production processes, or services. The goal is to improve market opportunities, accelerate innovation processes, and strengthen regional value creation in Lower Saxony.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material and prototype costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Registered office or place of business in Lower Saxony
- SME definition according to the EU
- Personnel expenses at least 50% of eligible costs
- Cooperation agreement for joint and cooperative projects
- Proof of overall project financing
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Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financial plan
- SME checklist
- Declaration of company in difficulty
- Declaration of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation
- Proportion of in-house development
- Collaboration with research institutions
Description
The Lower Saxony Innovation Support Program for Research and Development in Companies (IFP) is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small companies with medium-sized market capitalization, as well as research institutions with a site in Lower Saxony. Industrial research and development projects that aim to create new or significantly improved products, production processes, or services are funded. The funding rate varies between 25% and 100% depending on the company size and project type, with a maximum grant amount of €500,000 per company and up to €300,000 per research institution in cooperative projects. Start-ups and educational institutions are also eligible to apply, provided they carry out innovative projects jointly with SMEs. Essential requirements include a registered office or site in Lower Saxony, personnel expenses of at least 50% of the eligible costs, as well as proof of overall financing and quality criteria via a scoring model. Companies undergoing restructuring and those in difficulty are excluded.
Applications can be submitted continuously, with a processing time typically of 3–4 months. Within the thematic focus areas, the program currently offers the Circular Economy sector, with an application deadline of January 15, 2026. Personnel, material, and prototype costs are funded, whereby cooperation with research institutions particularly strengthens the share of in-house development and the level of innovation. Submitted project descriptions are evaluated based on the degree of innovation, share of in-house development, and collaboration with research institutions. The program’s goal is to improve the market opportunities of Lower Saxony’s SMEs, accelerate innovation processes, and promote regional value creation.
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