Open-topic Funding

The open-topic funding of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) is aimed at companies, educational institutions, non-profit, and public organizations nationwide. It supports statute-compliant environmental projects with high impact that cannot be assigned to a specialized funding theme. Applications can be submitted continuously. Funding is provided particularly for research, development, and innovation of environmentally and health-friendly processes and products, the exchange of knowledge between science, industry, and other stakeholders, as well as model projects for the preservation and restoration of the national natural heritage. Project sponsors must not have started the application process, must demonstrate compliance with the statutes, and contribute to solving environmental problems. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, material costs, external services, and travel expenses; pure investment projects, debt repayment, or apps for fulfilling legal obligations are not funded. Selection is based on the criteria of environmental impact, innovation potential, practical relevance, sustainability aspects, and statutory compliance.

Project sponsors from science, industry, municipalities, and non-profit organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions, can flexibly design their own contribution. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant in the form of proportional, fixed-amount, or deficit financing. A flat-rate overhead allowance is possible, as is partial financing of start-up costs. Early commencement of measures may be approved in exceptional cases. Grant recipients are obliged to submit annual and final reports on the use of funds. Results should be published in specialist publications, events, and databases to achieve a multiplier effect. In this way, the DBU supports innovative ideas that contribute to efficient environmental solutions and provide impetus for sustainable environmental protection in Germany.