Innovation Vouchers for Small Businesses/Craft Enterprises

The Innovation Voucher Bavaria offers small businesses and craft enterprises from Bavaria a tailored funding opportunity for R&D cooperation projects with external research and development institutions. In two variants – Standard and Special – the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy supports the planning, development, and implementation of technical or technological innovations. The standard funding covers 40% to 60% of eligible expenses between €4,000 and €30,000, with additional bonuses such as commissioning a university or location in structurally weak regions increasing the rate by up to 20%. The special voucher enables funding of 50% for expenses between €30,000 and €80,000 and requires a positive evaluation by independent experts as well as the commissioning of a university or comparable research institution.

Eligible for funding are, according to the EU SME definition, small businesses and craft enterprises with a place of business or branch in Bavaria, as well as start-ups planning their future place of business in the Free State. A joint innovation project with an external research institution is a prerequisite; only services provided by these institutions are eligible for funding. Internal R&D activities, classic business consulting, and acquisitions of machinery, hardware, and software are excluded. Applications can be submitted at any time before the start of the measure online via the ELSTER portal or by registration with an email address. With clear funding rates, flexible durations, and a straightforward procedure, the Innovation Voucher Bavaria sustainably strengthens the innovative capacity and competitiveness of small enterprises.