Invest BW – Innovation III

Invest BW – Innovation III supports the research and development activities of the Baden-Württemberg economy with the aim of sustainably increasing the degree of innovation in the fields of research & innovation, science, and digitalization. Eligible applicants include companies of all sizes, start-ups, freelancers, as well as universities and research institutions in consortia, provided they are based in Baden-Württemberg. Project proposals can be individual or collaborative projects and must be realized within a maximum of 24 months. Sketches of the project idea must be submitted by February 20, 2026 (1 p.m.); the submission of full applications is possible from August 20, 2025. Funding is provided for personnel expenses, material and equipment costs, as well as external services. Applicants benefit from a streamlined procedure and transparent funding structure.

The maximum funding amount ranges from €20,000 to €650,000 for individual projects and up to €1.3 million for collaborative projects. The funding rate varies between 15% and 45% depending on the company size, primarily to support small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups. Key evaluation criteria are the project's level of innovation, its economic viability, and feasibility. The program is initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg and is administered by VDI/VDE Innovation + Technology GmbH to ensure a prompt, legally compliant review and approval process. Invest BW – Innovation III is thus aimed at all organizations in Baden-Württemberg that wish to set new technological impulses and secure their competitiveness in the long term.