KMU-innovativ: fund your frontier research.
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.
BMBF’s fast track for SME research
KMU-innovativ is a BMBF programme that funds cutting-edge research by small and mid-size companies in defined technology fields, from ICT and biotechnology to photonics, production and resource efficiency.
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.
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, communication networks and embedded systems.
Electronics, autonomous driving & HPC
Electronics, automated mobility and high-performance computing.
Photonics & quantum technologies
Optical technologies, sensing and quantum systems.
Production research
“Future of value creation”, advanced manufacturing and processes.
Materials research (Mat2KMU)
New materials and material-driven products.
Medical technology
Devices, diagnostics and medical software.
Biomedicine & bioeconomy
Biotech-based health and bio-based value creation.
Resource efficiency & climate
Resource-efficient, climate-relevant innovations.
Civil security & interactive health tech
Security research and interactive technologies for health.
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 assessed on 15 April and 15 October; you hear back in roughly three months.
First a project outline (Projektskizze); on a positive vote, the full application (Vollantrag).
Small and mid-size companies are funded at a higher rate; 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 | up to 60% |
| Mid-size | up to 50% |
| 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 (PtJ, DLR PT or VDI TZ), 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 some fields, larger companies joining in.
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 certain technology fields, large companies can take part in collaborative projects at reduced rates.
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 a company, plus an SME bonus on top, reaching up to around 80% in some configurations.
Up to 2 years
Funded on a cost basis with an overhead surcharge; projects typically run up to two years.
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
- What to prepare before you apply
From first call to funding
Four steps. You stay focused on the work; we handle the funding end to end, on a success-based fee.
Eligibility check
We review your project against the programme's criteria, confirm it qualifies and give you a realistic figure before you commit any time.
Application
You tell us what you are working on; we build the application, write the technical case and manage the entire submission for you.
Submission & review
We file with the responsible authority in your name and handle every query through to the funding decision.
Funding
Once approved, we prepare the required reporting so the funding is released to you, accurately documented and on time.
KMU-innovativ in practice
Real projects we have taken through KMU-innovativ, from first scoping to the funding decision. Anonymised, figures as orders of magnitude.
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.
KMU-innovativ guides
Long-form explainers from our knowledge hub, for teams who want the detail before they talk to us.
The technology fields
Placing your project in the right field and call.
Read more → GuideSkizze → Vollantrag
The two-step procedure, explained.
Read more → GuideThe cut-off dates
How to plan around 15 April and 15 October.
Read more → GuideA strong project outline
What the project agency looks for in a Projektskizze.
Read more → GuideThe technology fields
Placing your project in the right field and call.
Read more → GuideSkizze → Vollantrag
The two-step procedure, explained.
Read more → GuideThe cut-off dates
How to plan around 15 April and 15 October.
Read more → GuideA strong project outline
What the project agency looks for in a Projektskizze.
Read more →KMU-innovativ questions, answered
The essentials on fields, rates and deadlines.
German SMEs, on their own or with research partners such as universities or institutes. Mid-caps may qualify in some calls.
Defined key-technology fields including ICT, biotechnology, photonics & quantum, production, materials, resource efficiency, medicine and civil security.
Typically up to around 50% of eligible project costs as a non-repayable grant; research partners are funded on their own terms.
There are two fixed cut-off dates each year, 15 April and 15 October. We plan the proposal around them.
Nothing upfront, our fee is success-based and only due once funding is secured.
Ask us anything
Tell us about your project and we'll assess your case by hand. No prep, no obligation. Prefer to talk?