Robotics funding, handled.
Motion, perception, embedded systems and custom hardware are R&D-heavy and capital-intensive. We fund the development and the investment behind it.
Hardware R&D is expensive, and fundable
Building physical systems means iterating through real technical risk: control, perception, board bring-up and integration. These activities qualify for R&D funding, and investment in production can qualify for regional grants.
Why R&D funding fits robotics & hardware
Four reasons robotics and hardware companies are well positioned for German R&D funding.
High R&D intensity
Building a robot or a new device is mostly R&D, from mechanics through perception to control, which puts a large share of cost in the eligible base.
Equipment and prototypes count
Depreciation on prototyping rigs, test cells and R&D equipment can be included since 2024, which matters for hardware-heavy teams.
Hardware and software together
The Research Allowance does not care whether the uncertainty sits in the mechanics, the firmware or the perception stack. Mixed-discipline R&D qualifies as one project.
Multi-program fit
The Research Allowance, ZIM, KMU-innovativ production research, and EU industrial and digital calls all support robotics R&D.
What robotics & hardware activities qualify
Four categories of robotics and hardware R&D that consistently qualify.
Motion & control
- Motion-planning, kinematics and control systems under uncertainty
- Actuation and mechatronics development beyond standard components
- Real-time control software where the path is unproven
Perception & sensing
- Sensor fusion, computer vision and perception systems
- New sensing hardware and signal-processing methods
- Localisation, mapping and navigation methods from the ground up
Embedded & electronics
- Custom embedded systems, firmware and electronics development
- Hardware and software co-design to resolve a technical problem
- Power, thermal and reliability engineering requiring experimentation
Devices & integration
- New device and machine development from concept to prototype
- System integration that requires genuine experimentation
- Durability, safety and performance testing of a novel system
The line that decides a claim
It comes down to technical uncertainty. A quick orientation for robotics.
Usually qualifies
- New motion, perception or control systems tested under real conditions
- Custom boards or embedded systems developed under technical risk
- Algorithms validated against hardware where no standard solution exists
Usually does not
- Integrating off-the-shelf robots or modules to a known spec
- Routine assembly, wiring and commissioning
- Standard maintenance and calibration
How much robotics & hardware companies typically receive
Indicative ranges based on R&D team size and intensity. Actual figures depend on eligible costs and the funder's decision.
Mostly the Research Allowance on a core engineering team.
The Research Allowance stacked with a ZIM grant on a defined project.
Toward the Research Allowance ceiling, plus stacked ZIM and EU funding.
* Indicative figures. The actual amount depends on company size, eligible costs and the programs you qualify for.
The kind of Robotics & Hardware work that qualifies
If it carries genuine technical risk and novelty, it usually counts. A few examples:
Motion-control, actuation and autonomous-handling development.
Sensor fusion, vision and perception systems.
Custom board bring-up, firmware and edge-device prototyping.
Capex in assisted regions eligible under GRW.
Best-fit funding for Robotics & Hardware
We usually combine two or three of these for the largest total.
Research Allowance
25–35% of R&D costs back as cash, retroactive to 2022.
Explore program →GrantZIM
up to €550k for SME innovation projects.
Explore program →Grant + equityEIC Accelerator
€2.5M grant + up to €10M equity for deep tech.
Explore program →GrantGRW
up to ~45% for investment in assisted regions.
Explore program →Robotics & hardware funding, answered
No. The Research Allowance assesses whether the project resolves technical uncertainty, regardless of discipline. A mixed hardware and software build is treated as one R&D project.
Depreciation on equipment used exclusively and directly in an R&D project can be included since 2024. We assess which of your prototyping and test assets qualify.
It is, where the integration requires genuine experimentation to resolve a technical problem. Standard assembly of off-the-shelf parts is not.
Yes. The Research Allowance is paid out even at a loss, which suits capital-heavy early-stage hardware development.
Yes. Contract research is eligible at 70% of the cost, so partnering with an institute adds to the eligible base rather than excluding you.
Ask us anything
Tell us about your project and we'll assess your case by hand. No prep, no obligation. Prefer to talk?