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Your path to funding

How can an idea be turned into new services, products or scientific knowledge? And how can it be financed? Not only universities and research associations are faced with these questions, but so are companies – and you might be, too. Funding programmes of the Federal and State governments, foundations or associations could provide the means to realise your research and development projects.

Both national and EU institutions support projects in research, education and innovation. They often provide large sums of money for collaborative projects between research institutions and companies. But there are also funding guidelines and programmes that provide grants to individual companies, institutes or researchers.

DLR Projektträger is at home in this complex "funding landscape" and performs important tasks on behalf of the Federal and State governments and the EU. While we administer funding from our clients and ensure that it flows to the grant recipients according to fixed rules, we are also the point of contact for those interested in funding and for the recipients themselves - in all phases from the classification of an idea to the drafting of the application and submission to the implementation of the project. Contact us whenever questions arise about the application, the process or the review.

In addition to strategic advice, we organise all project funding for our clients and manage the corresponding funding. In 2024, our staff managed more than 13,500 funding projects with a total volume of round about 1,9 billion euros. The topics we deal with include climate change, equal opportunities, clinical research and artificial intelligence (AI).

Our offer to those interested in funding

Research and educational institutions as well as companies that have found what they are looking for in the DLR Projektträger funding database will then receive comprehensive advice from us. What might seem complicated to you as a person interested in funding is exactly what we are familiar with: the regulations and forms for funding applications. We don't leave anyone alone with this!

Before and during the application process, we answer questions such as:

• What is the most suitable funding programme for your project idea?
• Does your project proposal have a chance of being funded?
• How are applications submitted and projects selected?
• Who can you contact at DLR Projektträger?

One question, perhaps the most crucial of all in the application process, is what your project outline looks like. If you are successful, your chances of receiving funding increase.

Among other things, the project outline should:

• make reference to the funding programme
• explain the idea and name the partners involved
• describe your own level of knowledge and the know-how of third parties involved
• show what research exists on the same project topic
• include an estimate of the project duration, required resources and associated costs.

Further specific information and contacts can be found in the links for those interested in funding, on the right-hand side of this page.

The role of DLR Projektträger in national and European funding

Whether in the environment, technology, medicine or education: With numerous funding programmes, Federal and State ministries, foundations and associations want to master current challenges and strengthen Germany as a location for business and innovation for the future. In doing so, they rely on the expertise of DLR Projektträger .

In addition to strategic consulting, we organise the entire project funding for our clients and manage the corresponding funding. In 2020, our employees managed more than 15,600 funding projects with a total volume of 1.98 billion euros.

Ongoing project funding also includes many international projects: in 2021, the EU launched Horizon Europe, the current framework programme for research and innovation. It aims to build a competitive economy and a knowledge- and innovation-based society. Funding is provided, for example, for research and innovation projects that address ambitious goals to tackle current societal challenges in Europe in an interdisciplinary manner. In this way, Horizon Europe contributes to the implementation of political guidelines of the European Commission, especially in connection with digital and ecological transformation.

To facilitate access to EU funding for German companies and researchers, the Federal Government has established special contact points at DLR Projektträger: the EU Office of the BMBF and the National Contact Points (NCPs).

We operate 13 of 19 National Contact Points (NCP). On behalf of the German government, they provide information on all aspects of the European Commission's research and innovation funding. The aim is to increase the chances of success for German applicants for European research funding. In addition to companies, universities, research institutions, transfer agencies and government or advisory offices can also contact the NCP.

You don't know exactly which EU funding programme your project could fall under? The EU Office of the BMBF can help. As the office of the German NCP network, we quickly forward your enquiry to the appropriate advisory office. Our staff want to familiarise interested parties with the funding measures, project forms and participation rules of the Horizon Europe framework programme. In addition, we pass on the necessary knowledge about application and review procedures as well as contract modalities and, if necessary, put you in touch with contact persons from the specialist areas of Horizon Europe.

Funding worldwide

Our work does not end at the borders of Europe—the International Bureau focuses on worldwide cooperation in education, research and innovation.

Challenges such as climate change, food security, sustainable mobility, energy supply or digital transformation transcend borders and can only be tackled through collaboration. It is, therefore, essential for Germany as a high-tech location to be integrated into global knowledge flows, given that the vast majority of global expertise is generated abroad. Strong international networking is key to sustaining Germany’s competitiveness in science, business, and technology—ensuring long-term prosperity, innovation, and a high quality of life.

We are the point of contact for German universities, non-university institutions and companies, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). We support international research cooperation and offer financial assistance to help you establish contacts or cooperations. 

For many years, we have been advising and supporting the German Federal Government, as well as state ministries and other clients in research, education, and innovation. Through various contracts, such as the International Bureau or the European Commission’s Global Service Facility, we develop and implement international strategies and programmes.

We offer the following to those interested in funding, applicants, and grant recipients: Our extensive network of partners worldwide, coupled with our long-standing and sustainable cooperation with over 100 European and international institutions, can open doors for your project.

Whether at regional, national or international level – we wish you and your projects every success!