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Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)

EXIST Transfer of Research

Funds German research teams for up to 36 months to spin their work into a startup.

EXIST Transfer of Research is a grant from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) that funds research teams at German universities and non-university research institutions, for up to 36 months and up to 250,000 euros, to take a proven idea — such as a working lab demonstrator — through the further high-risk, cost-intensive development needed to reach market readiness and

The programme targets research teams at German universities and non-university research institutions who have already proven their idea works -- a functional lab demonstrator, for example -- and need further high-risk, cost-intensive development to reach market readiness. It funds the technical and business-building work needed to turn that research into a company, not the underlying research itself.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.30 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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