Funding of Research, Development, and Innovation in the Maritime Economy – Maritime Research Program
Federal funding for research and technology projects in the maritime industry in Germany. Focus on ship technology, shipping, marine technology, and maritime production. Five funding priorities ranging from climate-neutral ships to digitalization. Applications can be submitted at any time via easy-Online.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Maritime Research Program of the BMWK supports research and technology projects in the maritime industry at the German location, focusing on ship technology, shipping, marine technology, and maritime production. The goal is to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability, digitalization, and safety of the sector, promote innovative technologies along the value chain, and contribute to climate and environmental protection.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- Investment grants for demonstrators
- Travel expenses
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Companies in the commercial sector with a place of business in Germany
- Institutions of municipalities, federal states, and the federal government
- Universities and research institutions
- Project outline and application via easy-Online
- Project must not have started yet
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Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Funding application
- Exploitation plan
- Curriculum vitae
- Financing plan
- Proof of SME status
- Cooperation agreement
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content
- Market and exploitation potential
- Scientific and technical quality
- Sustainability and climate protection contribution
- Cooperation structure and qualification of partners
Description
Maritime Research Program – Federal Funding for the Maritime Economy
The Maritime Research Program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) specifically supports research, development, and innovation projects in the fields of ship technology, shipping, marine technology, and maritime production. Eligible for funding are public institutions, companies of all sizes, as well as universities and research institutions that develop innovative technologies and services along the maritime value chain. Five funding priorities – ranging from climate-neutral ship concepts to maritime environmental protection and digitization, as well as safety and resource extraction – offer diverse points of entry for forward-looking projects. Applications can be submitted at any time via the online portal “easy-Online.” The funding rate ranges from 50% to 100% of eligible costs, the project duration is limited to a maximum of 36 months, and reduced conditions apply for small and medium-sized enterprises. Equipment, personnel costs, material and travel expenses are eligible for funding, as are investment grants for demonstrators.
Strengthening Innovation Capacity and Climate Protection
The program’s objective is to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the maritime sector in Germany. The funding supports projects that demonstrably contribute to climate and environmental protection and develop innovative solutions, for example, for alternative propulsion systems, digital production processes, or autonomous underwater systems. The evaluation is conducted in two stages: first, a project outline is submitted; following a positive preliminary review, the full application is then submitted. Assessment criteria include the degree of innovation, market potential, quality, sustainability contribution, and cooperation structure. The program covers the entire value chain from material usage through digitized processes to the demonstration of complex maritime systems, thereby promoting green, modern, and digital solutions.