KMU-innovativ funding consulting: your BMFTR R&D grant.
KMU-innovativ backs ambitious, high-risk research by German SMEs in key technology fields, with a fast track that lowers the usual hurdles. We write the proposal and manage the process.
BMFTR’s fast track for SME research
KMU-innovativ is a programme of the BMFTR (formerly BMBF) that funds cutting-edge research by small and mid-size companies in ten technology fields, from ICT, biomedicine and the bioeconomy to photonics, the future of value creation and the circular economy.
It exists to lower the barriers SMEs face in high-risk research: simplified entry, a fast-track route and dedicated support. We confirm the right topic and build the proposal. See who qualifies further down. Technology fields, funding rates and deadlines are explained in the KMU-innovativ guide.
The technology fields
KMU-innovativ runs as a set of technology fields, each with its own call and project agency. Your project must fit one of them, we place it where it scores best.
ICT & software-intensive systems
Software, data and embedded systems; the communication systems and IT security line has been closed since 31 Oct 2024.
Electronics, autonomous driving & HPC
Electronics, automated mobility and high-performance computing.
Photonics & quantum technologies
Optical technologies, sensing and quantum systems.
Future of value creation
Formerly production research: advanced manufacturing, processes and services.
Materials research (Mat2KMU)
New materials and material-driven products.
Medical technology
Devices, diagnostics and medical software.
Biomedicine & bioeconomy
Two fields: biotech-based health and bio-based value creation.
Climate & energy
Climate protection, energy efficiency and climate adaptation.
Resources & circular economy
Resource efficiency, raw materials and circular products.
Funding rate, deadlines and a quick estimate
KMU-innovativ is a non-repayable grant on eligible project costs, with a fixed two-step procedure and two cut-off dates a year. The rate depends on who you are.
Project outlines are due on 15 April or 15 October; according to the BMFTR, the selection result usually arrives within three months.
First a project outline (Projektskizze); on a positive vote, the full application (Vollantrag).
The 50% base is topped up by an SME bonus of up to 20 (small) or 10 percentage points (medium-sized companies); eligible costs include personnel, equipment, contract research and materials.
Universities and research institutes in the consortium can be funded on their own project costs.
| Applicant | Funding rate |
|---|---|
| Small (SME) | up to 70% |
| Medium (SME) | up to 60% |
| Mid-cap (non-SME) | 50% without SME bonus |
| Research institute (partner) | up to 100% |
A fast, two-stage route
KMU-innovativ is deliberately two-stage: a short outline is tested first, and only selected outlines go to a full application. It gives you planning certainty before you commit to writing the detail.
Project outline (Projektskizze)
A short outline of up to ten pages, submitted to your technology field's project agency and judged competitively at a cut-off. Two cut-offs a year: 15 April and 15 October. Feedback typically in two to three months.
Formal application
Selected outlines are invited to a full application. It must be filed before the project starts, and before the cooperation agreement in a collaborative project, to preserve the incentive effect. A free Lotsendienst hotline supports first-time applicants.
KMU-innovativ is an umbrella initiative: each technology field has its own directive, deadlines and project agency (depending on the field, e.g. PtJ, DLR PT, VDI TZ, VDI/VDE-IT or PTKA), so confirm the current call for your field before you plan a submission.
Built for SMEs, with science alongside
KMU-innovativ is an SME programme at its core, with research partners and, in most fields, mid-caps with up to 1,000 employees joining in. The full KMU-innovativ requirements are in the guide.
Fewer than 250 staff, with turnover up to €50m or a balance sheet up to €43m, and an establishment in Germany.
Universities and research institutions can join in cooperation, funded at up to 100% of their eligible costs.
In most fields, mid-sized companies with up to 1,000 employees and €100 million annual turnover can also apply, funded without the SME bonus.
Run it as an Einzelvorhaben (one company) or a Verbundprojekt (several partners to a shared goal).
Risk-rich research, generously funded
KMU-innovativ funds the research, not the roll-out, and the rate rewards SMEs and their science partners.
50% + SME bonus
A 50% base for companies, plus an SME bonus of up to 20 (small) or 10 percentage points (medium-sized companies), so up to 70% or 60%.
2 to 3 years
Funded on a cost basis with an overhead surcharge; projects usually run two to three years, depending on the technology field.
Research, not roll-out
It funds risk-rich, pre-competitive research with a genuinely open outcome, not near-market product development.
See if your project qualifies for KMU-innovativ
Tell us about your project. A funding advisor reviews your case by hand, then either comes back with feedback or a few follow-up questions. No obligation.
- Whether KMU-innovativ is the right fit
- A first read on the funding amount
- Which cut-off is realistic: 15 April or 15 October
From first call to funding
Four steps. You stay focused on the work; we handle the funding end to end, on a fee agreed in advance.
Eligibility check
We assign your project to one of the ten technology fields, check its research content and prepare the preliminary talk with the project agency.
Project outline (Projektskizze)
We write the project outline of up to ten pages with state of the art, work packages and exploitation plan, align the consortium with your research partners and submit it by 15 April or 15 October.
Formal application
After a positive vote we prepare the full application in easy-Online with cost and work plan; it is filed before the project starts and before the cooperation agreement. We answer the project agency's queries with you.
Funding
During the project we prepare the interim reports and the proof of use, so you can call the funds on time.
KMU-innovativ in practice
Practical examples based on real projects we have taken through KMU-innovativ, from first scoping to the funding decision. Anonymised, figures rounded.
How a medical-technology company secured KMU-innovativ funding for high-risk research on a new…
Read the story
How a photonics company secured KMU-innovativ funding for high-risk research on a new optical…
Read the storyHow an SME secured KMU-innovativ funding for cutting-edge production-technology research on a new…
Read the storyIndustries we fund
We've secured German and EU funding across the innovation economy. If you're doing genuine development, your field almost certainly fits.
Why BeFunded exists
Two founders, one mission: help every innovator in Europe fund what they build.
Our mission
To make public funding genuinely accessible to everyone building something new in Europe. Across research and development, health, agriculture, energy and far beyond, billions are set aside each year to back innovation, yet too much of it never reaches the teams doing the actual work. We want to change that, so that funding lands where it belongs and keeps innovation in Europe moving forward.
From founder to founder: we have been on the client side ourselves, navigating Europe’s funding programmes first-hand, and we learned how much complexity, paperwork and uncertainty stands between a good project and the money meant to support it.
KMU-innovativ questions, answered
The essentials on fields, rates and deadlines.
KMU-innovativ (BMFTR) funds cutting-edge research in defined technology fields via a competitive two-stage process with fixed deadlines; ZIM (BMWE) funds market-oriented development without thematic restrictions, but has not accepted new applications since 7 July 2026; reopening is targeted for early 2027. Research depth decides.
KMU-innovativ is open to German SMEs, applying alone or together with research partners such as universities or institutes. In most fields, mid-sized companies with up to 1,000 employees and €100 million annual turnover can also apply.
KMU-innovativ funds ten technology fields: biomedicine, bioeconomy, electronics and autonomous driving/HPC, ICT, climate and energy, materials research, medical technology, photonics and quantum technologies, resources and circular economy, and the future of value creation. Your project must fit one of these technology fields.
Under KMU-innovativ, companies usually receive 50% of eligible costs, up to 60% (medium-sized) or 70% (small companies) with the SME bonus, as a non-repayable grant. Universities and research institutions in the consortium receive up to 100%.
KMU-innovativ has two fixed cut-off dates each year: 15 April and 15 October. We plan your proposal timeline around these deadlines.
For KMU-innovativ consultancy with BeFunded, our fee is a fixed share plus a success component, both agreed in advance. So you know before the start what the consultancy costs.
Ask us anything
Tell us about your project and we'll assess your case by hand. No prep, no obligation. Prefer to talk?