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Shortcuts to funding

Are you planning an ambitious research project in a small or medium-sized company? Then you probably have an excellent idea, but don't have much time to look for the right funding option. Through its KMU-innovativ scheme, the BMBF is trying to make access to funding as simple as possible for you.

SMEs involved in world-class research will in future be given preferential access in (currently) six technology fields that are particularly important for Germany's growth and prosperity. These fields are:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Information and communications technology
• Production technology
• Technologies for the efficient use of resources and energy
• Optical technologies

The particulars of available support are set out in the respective calls for proposals.

The following six steps show the progression from the idea through to the implementation of your research project.

1. Contact the KMU-innovativ support service at the BMBF's funding advice bureau (BMBF-Förderberatung).

Via the KMU-Förderung telephone help line (+49 800 26 23 009) you can learn what funding is available under the KMU-innovativ scheme for your research project. If your project doesn't fit into this scheme, you will be advised of alternative funding options.

2. You submit an outline of your project by the cut-off date.

In order to evaluate your research project, the BMBF needs a meaningful project outline. You can create this using the outline tool that is available on the following pages. To do this, please first select an area that corresponds to your project's theme. A simple menu system then leads you through the entire process of creating your outline. This ensures that your project outline addresses all the relevant points needed for the evaluation and that it doesn't exceed the limit of 10 pages. You can edit your outline at any time up until you either submit it for consideration or the specified cut-off date.

3. Your outline will be assessed within two months.

Project outlines can be submitted at any time. On two cut-off dates in the year all project outlines submitted up to those dates will be assessed. These dates are 15 April and 15 October in each year. Submitted project outlines will be assessed competitively.

The assessment is based on the following criteria:

• The importance of the research objective: social need and product relevance
• The scientific/technical quality of the solution's approach
• The level of innovation in the scientific/technical concept
• The technological and economic potential
• The abilities of the partners
• The quality of project management and, where appropriate, the structure of the collaboration
• The quality and feasibility of the exploitation plan, commercialisation prospects and market potential
• The project's contribution to the future positioning of the company in the market
• An assessment of the social, economic and ecological opportunities and risks associated with the scientific/technical innovations.

You will be informed of the results of the assessment no later than two months following the cut-off date for submissions.

4. If your outline has been favourably assessed, you submit a grant application.

If your outline has been convincing, you will be invited to submit a grant application. You can do this on the Internet via the "easy" electronic application system, which takes you quickly through the application process. The tool also places at your disposal the guidelines, leaflets and instructions on research funding.

5. A decision on your application is made within two months.

The project management organisation commissioned by the BMBF reviews your complete application.
If your application is complete and fulfils the formal criteria, and the reviewers reach a positive decision, you will receive notification of the decision on the award within two months.

6. You implement your research project under the KMU-innovativ scheme.

Once you receive notification of the award, you can begin implementation of your research project. You develop a solution for a challenging and highly relevant problem, in the process boosting your company's innovative strength and competitiveness. The funding is paid out to you in stages as your project progresses. Once you have completed the project, you draw up a project report and expand on how you intend to further exploit the results.

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  What is an SME?

  To obtain funding under the KMU-innovativ scheme it is essential that a small or medium-sized enterprise is participating in the project. The legal definition of an SME was set out by the EU Commission in January 2005. In addition to the three parameters of personnel headcount, turnover or balance sheet total, some further points are of importance. We therefore set out here the general data for simple classification together with pointers to further sources of information for more complex cases.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/619.php)
   
  
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  Biotechnology

  In Germany there are now almost 600 companies working in the field of biotechnology. Around 500 of these are "pure" biotech companies whose business is based entirely or predominantly on modern biotechnology processes. Most of these companies are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): In 2007, 490 of them (95%) employed fewer than 250 employees and achieved a turnover of less than EUR 50 million. The KMU-innovativ Biotechnologie - BioChance programme is designed to support SMEs active in the field of biotechnology or that want to expand and strengthen their line of business through the use of biotechnology.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/429.php)
   
  
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  Information and communications technology

  The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is an important factor in the German economy. Germany can point to excellent research results in the ICT field but there is evidence of unused potential in the conversion of these results into industrial applications and products. The ICT sector is particularly strongly characterised by SMEs, which account for 90% of IT companies in Germany. These are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/430.php)
   
  
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  Nanotechnology

  Nanotechnology holds considerable potential for Germany, both technological and economic. There are already around 740 innovative companies involved in the development, application and marketing of nanotechnology products. Some 50,000 industrial jobs are connected with this, and the trend is upward. Experts on the field estimate that by 2015 the world-wide, cross-sector market will be worth EUR 1 trillion.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/426.php)
   
  
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  Production technology

  Production and production-related services account for more than two-thirds of Germany's total economic output. R&D and training and skills development also play a key role in ensuring that we remain competitive in the future. SMEs are especially prominent in this area as drivers of innovation and as the transfer interface between the scientific and business community for research results. Over recent years new and innovative companies have entered the scene both in established areas and in the conversion of new key technologies to operational practice. These need to be strengthened.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/435.php)
   
  
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  Resources and energy efficiency

  Demand for resources and energy on the one hand and climate change on the other are set to massively increase pressure on the economy, politics and society in just a few years. Environmentally efficient technologies are developing into a critical success factor. These technologies are often driven by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In many areas, German companies, and in particular SMEs, enjoy a competitive advantage internationally. SMEs are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/439.php)