LOEWE Funding Line 3: SME Collaborative Projects
Funding of research and development collaborative projects between SMEs and universities/research institutions in Hesse. Applications can be submitted at any time.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Acceleration of market-ready innovations through the promotion of collaborative projects between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as universities and non-university research institutions in Hesse.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs (materials, consumables)
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Rent, leasing fees, depreciation
- Overhead flat rate (20% for universities)
Non-eligible expenses
- Investments (new construction, land acquisition)
- imputed costs and preliminary expenses
- marketing and sales costs
- debt settlement
- retrospective costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Registered office or place of business in Hesse
- Consortium consisting of at least one SME and a university or research institution
- Project must not have started before the application submission
- Proof of SME status according to EU definition
Documents required for application
- Project summary
- Detailed application with financial and expenditure plan
- Draft consortium agreement
- Time sheets and cost receipts
- Curricula vitae of the project leaders
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation and scientific risk
- Market potential and customer proximity
- Qualification and experience of the partners
- Network and transfer concept
- Sustainability and continuation prospects
Description
Within the framework of the LOEWE funding line 3, forward-looking collaborative projects are implemented in Hesse jointly by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as universities and non-university research institutions, which accelerate the development of marketable products, processes, and services to maturity. A prerequisite is a consortium consisting of at least one SME and one university or research institution, which clearly delineates its research and development activities, is interdisciplinary in expertise, and pursues innovative solution approaches with identifiable market potential. The project duration ranges from one to three years, with funding amounts between EUR 100,000 and EUR 500,000 – at a funding rate of up to 50% of eligible expenses (50% personnel costs, material, travel, and overhead costs). External partners such as industrial users, start-ups, or practice organizations can be involved to enhance application relevance.
The two-stage application process begins with a project outline, followed by detailed financial and expenditure plans as well as a draft cooperation agreement regulating task allocation, fund management, and intellectual property rights. Selection is made by an independent selection committee based on criteria such as degree of innovation, market potential, partners’ experience, and network and transfer concept. After approval, interim and final reports must be prepared documenting technical results, exploitation strategies, and sustainable effects. The goal is the sustainable establishment of efficient research alliances and the strengthening of the technology location Hesse.
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