Funding for large companies, handled.
Above the SME threshold the programme list narrows, but the Research Allowance has no size cap and the EU runs large-scale instruments. We focus on the few that move real money.
The funding reality for large companies
Large companies lose access to the SME-only programmes, but two things still work at scale, and one is open to companies of any size.
Large base, large sums
The Research Allowance applies regardless of company size, so a big R&D budget means a large absolute payout.
Up to 30%
Without the SME bonus the rate is 25%, effectively 30% of wage costs with the overhead flat rate for projects started from 2026; at most €3m a year (costs from 2026).
Built for big projects
Horizon Europe consortia and the EU Innovation Fund fund large, capital-heavy R&D and first-of-a-kind commercial plants.
GRW
Major investments in eligible regions can draw structural support.
The programmes that fit large companies
A shorter list than for SMEs, focused on size-neutral and large-scale instruments. We concentrate on the ones with real volume for you.
Germany
Research AllowanceTax-based R&D allowance with no size cap: 25%, effectively 30% of wage costs for projects started from 2026. Retroactive to 2022. GRWRegional investment subsidy for large facilities and equipment in eligible areas. BAFA EEWFunding for energy and resource efficiency across your operations.What each programme means for you
Every fit at a glance, with the angle that is specific to your stage. Germany first, then Europe.
| Programme | Special for you | Funding | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Allowance | No size cap - large base, large sum | up to 30%, up to €3M/yr (from 2026) | Retroactive, no cut-off date |
| GRW | Large regional investment; climate 45% | up to 25% | Rolling (regional) |
| BAFA EEW | Technology-open process modules | up to 40% | Rolling |
| KfW innovation loan | Up to €500M turnover | Loan + 3 or 5% grant | Rolling |
| Programme | Special for you | Funding | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Europe | Often industry-led consortia | RIA 100% / IA 70% | Fixed calls |
| EU Innovation Fund | Built for big clean-tech | up to 60% | Annual call |
Not open to you: ZIM, KMU-innovativ, WIPANO patent funding, the EIC and EXIST target SMEs, mid-caps or start-ups; in Eurostars you can only take part without German funding. We focus where the volume is.
How much large companies typically get
Indicative ranges by R&D scale. Actual figures depend on eligible costs and which programmes you win.
The Research Allowance on a substantial R&D budget.
Towards the Research Allowance ceiling across several projects.
The Research Allowance plus Horizon or the Innovation Fund on a major project.
* Indicative figures. The actual amount depends on company size, eligible costs and the programmes you qualify for.
It comes down to technical uncertainty
The test is technical uncertainty, not company size: systematic R&D under genuine unknowns qualifies, routine engineering and production do not. What that looks like in your field is on the Industries pages. See your industry
Large-company funding, answered
The Research Allowance with no size cap, Horizon Europe, the EU Innovation Fund, GRW and BAFA EEW. Fewer programmes, but large ones.
Often yes. Access has no size threshold and the eligible base can be large, so the absolute amount is significant even at 25 to 30%. Only the rate and the annual maximum depend on size: 25% and €3m instead of 35% and €4.2m for SMEs (costs from 2026).
Yes. Within one company, eligible R&D across all sites and divisions is added up. Subsidiaries file their own claims but, as linked companies, share the assessment-base cap (from 2026: €12M a year) and state the split in their claims (section 3(6) FZulG).
We focus only on R&D and innovation funding and on the technical substance examiners test, often alongside your existing advisors.
Retroactive to 2022, at each year's applicable rate.
Where the volume is at scale
Fewer programmes above the SME line, but the ones that remain move real money. One sensible order.
Research Allowance
Group-wide R&D under one shared cap, no size cap, up to €3M a year (from 2026). Retroactive to 2022.
Horizon Europe
Collaborative R&I, often industry-led, RIA 100% / IA 70%.
EU Innovation Fund
Built for big clean-tech, up to 60%, into the hundreds of millions.
GRW + BAFA EEW
Regional investment and process efficiency, on top of the R&D funding.
The levers large companies overlook
A few angles that matter at scale, and the assumptions that quietly cost real money.
Specific to large companies
- The Research Allowance has no ceiling on company size.
- The overhead flat rate lifts the rate to about 30% of wage costs for projects started from 2026.
- Aggregate R&D across sites and divisions, within the base that linked companies share (from 2026: €12M a year).
- EU instruments scale up, not down, Horizon and the Innovation Fund.
- Mid-cap exceptions: KMU-innovativ (some fields to 1,000 staff), KfW (to €500M turnover).
What gets missed
- Assuming the allowance is "for SMEs", it is size-neutral.
- Not splitting the shared cap across subsidiaries deliberately.
- Treating the overhead as automatic: it only applies to projects started from 2026.
- Underusing Horizon and the Innovation Fund because applications look heavy.
Ask us anything
Tell us about your company and we'll map the funding that fits. No prep, no obligation. Prefer to talk?