Funding for Junior Research Groups in Natural and Engineering Sciences as well as Information Technology „BioKreativ – Creative Young Researchers for the Bioeconomy“

This funding program is aimed at scientific institutions and companies that wish to support talented junior research groups in the field of bioeconomy. The funding aims to accelerate the transition to a bio-based economy in Germany, the EEA, and Switzerland by supporting application-oriented basic research and innovative developments.

The program focuses on innovative projects that support the transition to a bio-based economy. Projects in natural sciences, information technology, and engineering sciences are funded, covering application-oriented basic research in various areas of the bioeconomy, from the development of bio-based products to the improvement of value chains and the promotion of a circular economy.

The program offers financial support in the form of grants. The amount of funding varies depending on the type of applicant and the nature of the project, with up to 100 percent of eligible expenses potentially covered for universities. Projects have a maximum duration of five years.

Specific conditions apply to the application and project implementation. These include administrative and content-related requirements for junior research groups, as well as regulations on the utilization of results. The funding must also comply with EU state aid criteria.

The application procedure is two-stage, requiring the submission of a project outline, followed by a formal funding application upon positive evaluation. The use of the electronic application system easy-Online is mandatory, with fixed deadlines for the submission of outlines to be observed.

This funding program is based on specific guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which define its validity and funding criteria. The full texts of these guidelines are publicly accessible.