Project Funding by the German Federal Environmental Foundation
The DBU project funding supports innovative, exemplary environmental protection projects in Germany in the fields of environmental technology, environmental research, environmental communication, as well as nature and cultural heritage conservation. Project outlines and funding applications can be submitted throughout the year.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of solution-oriented projects for environmental protection through innovative and exemplary approaches in the fields of environmental technology, environmental research, environmental communication, as well as the protection of natural and cultural assets, with the aim of making a concrete contribution to environmental relief.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- External services
- Travel expenses
- Gross wages and salaries
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Non-eligible expenses
- Projects to fulfill statutory obligations
- Non-project-related applications
- Projects without implementation prospects
- Pure investment projects
- Projects already started
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Public Institutions
- Individuals
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Submission of a project outline via the online portal
- Innovative content of the project
- Model character of the undertaking
- Contribution to environmental relief
- Project must not have started yet
Documents required for application
- Project outline (3–10 pages)
- Complete funding application (approx. 20 pages)
- Financing plan
- Curricula vitae of the project leaders
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content
- Environmental relief
- Model character
- Practical relevance
Description
The project funding of the German Federal Environmental Foundation is aimed nationwide at small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, research institutions, non-profit organizations, public institutions, as well as private individuals who develop solutions in the fields of environmental technology, environmental research, environmental communication, nature and cultural heritage protection, as well as energy efficiency and climate protection. With a focus on innovation and model character, the measure makes a binding contribution to environmental relief and promotes forward-looking concepts that convince through practical applicability and multiplier effects. The thematic scope includes, among others, renewable energies, biodiversity, and sustainable resource use, thereby ensuring a holistic approach to environmental and climate protection. Project outlines and complete funding applications can be submitted year-round via the online portal.
The funding is provided as a grant with a rate of 50% to 100%, depending on the sponsoring entity and the financing basis. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, material and external services, travel expenses, as well as overhead allowances, while pure investment projects, market launch projects, completed projects, or pure basic research are excluded. A prerequisite for application is a project activity not yet started, with a high degree of innovation and model character. Selection is based on clearly defined criteria such as environmental relief, practical relevance, and feasibility. The application requires submission of a project outline (3–10 pages), a complete application (approx. 20 pages), a financing plan, and CVs of the project leaders. With year-round submission opportunities, the German Federal Environmental Foundation offers optimal chances for pioneering environmental protection initiatives.
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