Program for the Promotion of Applied Environmental Technologies (PFAU)

The program for the promotion of application-oriented environmental technologies (PFAU) offers non-repayable grants to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as cooperating research institutions in the state of Bremen for the development, application, and dissemination of practice-oriented environmental technologies. The goal is to anchor innovative solutions in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energies, and climate protection within the economy and to accelerate their market introduction. The focus is on research and development projects, process and organizational innovations, as well as innovation-supporting services. Pilot and demonstration projects strengthen knowledge transfer between science and industry. Individual projects can be funded with up to €150,000, consortium projects with multiple partners even up to €250,000. Project outlines can be submitted at any time, allowing for flexible schedules and short-term project starts.

Eligible to apply are SMEs with headquarters or operations in the state of Bremen; for consortium projects, research institutions from the same federal state are also eligible. A significant incentive effect and project commencement only after application submission and approval are prerequisites. Excluded are companies in economic difficulty or projects that are funded elsewhere. The funding rate ranges from 25% to 50% of eligible expenses, including social security liable personnel, instruments and equipment, external services, as well as other operating costs such as materials or external contracts. Required are a project outline, a detailed project description, and a formal application. The evaluation is conducted straightforwardly by the sponsoring organizations Bremer Aufbau-Bank GmbH or BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung und Stadtentwicklung mbH. Regular evaluations using milestones ensure progress and the earmarked use of funds.