Funding of projects in the program "SMEs Innovative: Future of Value Creation"

The funding program “SMEs Innovative: Future of Value Creation” targets small and medium-sized enterprises as well as medium-sized companies in Germany and supports pre-competitive R&D projects in production, services, and work. The goal is to develop innovative technologies and concepts that advance the transformation process toward sustainable, resilient, and digitally networked value creation systems. Funding priorities include, among others, Industry 4.0 solutions, new manufacturing technologies and process chains, digital product-service systems, integrative robotics, as well as new business models such as data monetization or platform economy. Particular importance is given to the integrative system approach: the projects link technological innovation with the social design of work, qualification, and lifelong learning to strengthen competitiveness at the German location and meet societal needs.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant of up to 70% of eligible costs (50% base funding rate, plus bonuses for SMEs and with ESF-Plus co-financing) and may cover personnel costs, material expenses, external services, and overhead costs. Eligible applicants are SMEs according to the EU definition and medium-sized companies with up to 1,000 employees and a maximum annual turnover of EUR 100 million; collaborative projects may include universities and non-university research institutions. The project duration is generally 24 months, up to 30 months for the October deadline. A two-stage application procedure begins with the submission of a project outline by April 15 and October 15 each year; full applications follow after positive pre-selection. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, economic and business applicability, interdisciplinarity, as well as broad impact and transfer potential.