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The research bonus for public-sector research

The Deadline for application finished 30.09.2009

Who can apply for the research bonus?

Public and state-recognised universities and research institutions funded jointly by the Federal Government and the Länder can apply for a research bonus, as can their scientific staff who apply through their individual facilities. To the funding regulations

What is the research bonus worth?

The bonus amounts to 25% of the net value of the R&D contract, subject to a maximum of EUR 100,000 per R&D contract.

What conditions apply?

The research bonus can be claimed if:

• an R&D contract was agreed after the cut-off date of 1 September 2006
• the R&D contract was performed for a company having no more than 1000 employees
• the R&D contract was for a value of more than EUR 10,000 and payment was in accordance with normal market conditions
• the duration of the R&D contract did not exceed two years
• public funding in respect of the R&D contract was neither applied for, by either the contractor or the client, nor granted
• the R&D contract was performed by staff of the university/research institution.

The application procedure

1. Notify the project management organisation that you have concluded an R&D contract with an SME using the form Ankündigung des Vertragsabschlusses eines FuE-Auftrags mit einem KMU beim Projektträger.
2. Apply for the research bonus within six months of completing the R&D contract (including receipt of payment). Consolidating a number of notifications into a single application is possible.
   
   Documents required for the application:
   1. Antrag auf Gewährung einer Bundeszuwendung auf Ausgabenbasis (AZA) (electronic application form)
   2. Anlagen zum Antrag (annexes to the application form)
   3. A copy of the invoice and proof of payment for the R&D contract
3. The bonus is paid in a single payment at the commencement of the project applied for. For projects lasting more than one year payments are distributed based on budgetary needs in each financial year.

Applications can be submitted at any time up to 30 September 2009.

What can the research bonus be used for?

The research bonus can be used for new, additional projects across the whole spectrum of research and development with the aim of improving the transfer of knowledge and technology. The following guide should serve to give you some ideas. You can obtain further information at any time from the Jülich project management organisation:

1. Demand-oriented alignment of knowledge and technology transfer
   1. Projects to further develop technology transfer structures
   2. Strategy development - e.g. positioning/focussing of the institution with high-quality/readily exploitable research topics
   3. R&D proposals for extending knowledge and closing strategic gaps for collaborative activities
   4. Proposals for the dissemination of knowledge (knowledge spillover) for general benefit
2. Measures to exploit R&D results
   1. Idea scouting/search for marketable ideas/developments in institutions
   2. Validation of R&D results
   3. Technical feasibility studies within the institution
   4. Development of strategies for protective rights/licensing in order to protect knowledge
3. Strengthening the application and cooperation-oriented skills of scientists, in particular of young scientists, for improved transition to the business world
   1. Specialist continuing training projects for scientific and technical staff to improve the qualifications of human resources
   2. Temporary personnel exchanges with business (including development of strategies for exchange processes)
   3. Training in drawing up cooperation agreements and conducting negotiations
4. Improving the management of collaborative activities with business and in particular with small and medium-sized enterprises
   1. Development of management tools for use of the research institution's capabilities
   2. Strategies for demand-oriented communication and public relations
   3. Dissemination of the results of research via conferences, symposiums and workshops
   4. Company visits, business-research sessions, regional activities for example with chambers of trade and industry
   5. Activities relating to industrial and trade fairs/exhibitions
   6. Development of sector or technology-related know-how

The research bonus must not be used for financing R&D contracts for business customers or for your own business activities. The research bonus must be used within two years of its granting.