Funding guide
How Germany's research allowance works in 2026, how to read an EU funding call, what SME status and de minimis mean and how to recognise a good grant consultant: clearly explained, as of Oct 2026, with sources.
Research allowance & innovation
Research allowance, BSFZ certificate and ZIM: how Germany supports research and development in companies and what applies in 2026.
The BSFZ certificate: getting your R&D project recognised for Germany's research allowance
How the BSFZ certificate for Germany's research allowance works: R&D criteria, the online application, processing time, objections and the tax office step.
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Germany's research allowance (Forschungszulage) in 2026: who qualifies and how to claim
Germany's R&D tax incentive in 2026: 25 % of eligible costs, 35 % for SMEs, a cost base of up to 12 million euros and a new 20 % overhead flat rate, explained.
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Germany's ZIM innovation programme: project types, 2025 guideline and the 2026 application freeze
Germany's ZIM programme for SME innovation: project types under the 2025 guideline, the application freeze since 7 July 2026 and alternatives to use now.
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EU funding
Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, funding calls and consortia: the route to European research and innovation funding.
Building a consortium: minimum rules, partner search and the consortium agreement in Horizon Europe
How to build a Horizon Europe consortium: three partners from three countries, partner search, roles and the consortium agreement based on the DESCA model.
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EIC Accelerator: up to EUR 2.5 million in grants plus equity for start-ups and SMEs
EIC Accelerator 2026: grants up to EUR 2.5 m, equity via the EIC Fund, the three steps from short proposal to jury interview and the 2026 cut-off dates.
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European funding for electronics and semiconductors: the Chips Act, the Chips JU and the IPCEI on microelectronics
EU funding for microelectronics: the Chips Act (Regulation 2023/1781), the Chips Joint Undertaking and its predecessors, German co-funding and the IPCEI ME/CT.
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Horizon Europe: How the EU research framework programme works for companies in Germany
Horizon Europe 2021 to 2027 in brief: EUR 95.5 bn budget, three pillars, funding rates for RIA, IA and CSA, German National Contact Points and the FP10 outlook.
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Reading EU funding calls: how to decode a topic page on the Funding & Tenders Portal
How to read EU funding calls: topic ID, type of action, single or two-stage deadlines, budget, eligibility and work programme on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
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Funding programmes in Germany
BAFA consulting grants, EXIST, state programmes and promotional loans: which programmes suit companies and start-ups.
BAFA consulting grant: how German SMEs get up to 80 % of consulting fees subsidised
Germany's BAFA grant for SME consulting: up to 80 % of a fee base of 3,500 euros, the application steps via Leitstellen and the guideline ending in 2026.
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EXIST and start-up funding in Germany: business start-up grant, Transfer of Research and alternatives
EXIST start-up grant and Transfer of Research according to Projektträger Jülich, plus the start-up subsidy, the KfW start-up loan and state programmes.
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Funding from Germany's federal states: which promotional bank covers your region
Regional funding in Germany: the promotional banks of all 16 federal states, documented innovation programmes such as Pro FIT and PROFI, and search tips.
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Promotional loan, grant or tax incentive: choosing the right route for funding in Germany
Grants, promotional loans and the research allowance in Germany compared: differences, the house bank principle for KfW loans and how to combine them.
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Applications & advice
Writing a proposal, funding rates, SME status, de minimis aid and choosing the right grant consultant.
How to choose a grant consultant in Germany: checklist, red flags and questions for the first meeting
Choosing a grant consultant in Germany: checklist on specialisation, references, fees and independence, common red flags and questions for the first meeting.
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De minimis aid: the EUR 300,000 ceiling, the rolling three-year period and the new central register
De minimis aid under Regulation (EU) 2023/2831: EUR 300,000 per single undertaking over three rolling years, the declaration, the register and cumulation.
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The EU SME definition: thresholds, partner and linked enterprises, and why it matters for funding in Germany
The EU SME definition explained: staff, turnover and balance sheet thresholds, partner and linked enterprises, a worked example and the effect on grant rates.
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Funding rates and own contribution: how much of your project a grant really covers
How funding rates and own contribution work for R&D grants in Germany: EU GBER ceilings, SME bonuses, a worked example and why you must pre-finance costs.
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What does a grant consultant cost in Germany? Fee models, contract terms and eligibility
Grant consultant fees in Germany: fixed fees, day rates, success fees and hybrid models compared, key contract terms and whether consulting costs are fundable.
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Writing a grant proposal: structure, evaluation criteria and common mistakes in EU and German applications
How to write a grant proposal: Excellence, Impact and Implementation, the 0 to 5 scoring scale and thresholds, German project outlines and common mistakes.
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