Frequently Asked Questions

Links to all current calls for proposals can be found on the KMU-innovativ home page. In addition, a teaser at the end of the web page for the relevant KMU-innovativ technology field takes you straight to the funding regulations. From there the links can take you to the outlining tool.

A teaser at the bottom of the page for the relevant KMU-innovativ technology field takes you straight to the outlining tool. In addition, the links can also be found in the relevant funding regulations.

Eligible for support are individual projects by companies competent in the relevant technology field. In general terms, funding may also be given to collaborations involving several SMEs and/or research institutions and/or companies that do not meet the criteria for an SME. However, the benefits of the proposal must accrue primarily to the participating SMEs (manufacturer/user). An information sheet (Merkblatt für Antragsteller/Zuwendungsempfänger zur Zusammenarbeit der Partner von Verbundprojekten) for applicants for, or recipients of, funding for collaborative projects can be found here.

New startups can also take part if it is assured that they can put up their own portion of the capital.

In line with BMBF policy, the company is expected to provide an appropriate contribution of its own - basically, at least 50% of the costs eligible for funding. The company contribution can be reduced if an SME bonus is granted.

The maximum size of the project depends on the capacity of the participating SMEs.

Which project costs for companies are eligible for funding is set out in the AZK regulations (Richtlinien für Zuwendungsanträge auf Kostenbasis von Unternehmen der gewerblichen Wirtschaft).

There are two options for cost accounting and with these the pre-calculation of cost-based grants:

1. Cost acounting in accordance with LSP (Leitsätze für die Preisermittlung aufgrund von Selbstkosten - Guidelines for cost-based price setting)
2. Flat-rate cost accounting in accordance with section 5.6 of the NKBF98 (Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research).

Details can be found in the information sheet Merkblatt Vorkalkulation für Zuwendungen - Kostenbasis (AZK 4)

NKBF 98 specifies that the flat-rate option can only be permitted where a company:

• has an orderly accounting system within the meaning of Nr. 2 LSP, or
• is in a position to track and prove its costs in a simplified form by means of commercial bookkeeping.

The decision as to whether overheads are to be accounted for in detail (in accordance with LSP) or whether a flat-rate approach is selected (120% flat rate on the gross monthly wages and salaries bill liable to income and payroll tax) must be taken by the company themselves after making the relevant calculations. In the case of projects already underway and follow-on projects, it is not permitted to change from the flat-rate to the LSP option.

Project outlines should be no more than 10 pages in length and should be created online via the http://www.kmu-innovativ.de/ Internet portal, where you will find the information you need to participate in the call for proposals.

The outline must have been completed in the pt(outline* online tool by 23:59 on the relevant cut-off date. The signed project summary sheet can also be handed in shortly after the cut-off date.

The project manager's signature suffices for the project outline. A legally binding signature is not required until the grant application.

In exceptional cases, where it is not possible to clearly assign the subject to one field, the outline may be submitted for more than one field. A grant application may only be made for one field, however.

Under the EU Commission's definition, an SME is a company that:

• employs fewer than 250 people
• has an annual turnover of no more than EUR 50 million
• has an annual balance sheet total of no more than EUR 43 million.

When calculating the staff headcount and the financial thresholds, you need to take into account your links with other companies. For this purpose, the EU Commission has published a declaration template.

For more information on the EU definition of an SME, click here.