Funding for Projects on "Basic Technologies for Fusion – Towards a Fusion Power Plant"

This BMBF funding program targets commercial enterprises, universities, and non-university research institutions in Germany. It aims to advance research and development in the field of fusion energy to create the prerequisites for the construction and operation of fusion power plants. The results of the funded projects must be utilized in Germany, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

The program supports high-risk, pre-competitive research and development projects in the field of basic technologies for fusion research. Funding is provided in two modules: "Key Technologies" and "Test and Measurement Infrastructure". In addition to purely scientific-technical work, accompanying projects for the establishment of "hubs" for networking projects and partners are also funded.

The funding program provides grants for fusion energy research projects, typically with a duration of three years. Funding rates vary depending on the applicant type and project nature, covering up to 100% of eligible costs for basic research and up to 80% for industrial research and experimental development.

Specific conditions apply to funding, including the requirement for a business establishment in Germany and a high scientific-technical risk of the project. Projects must relate to the construction and operation of fusion power plants, and the results may only be utilized within certain geographical areas. Collaboration in collaborative projects is generally required and must be regulated by written agreements, with adherence to the GBER aid rules.

The application procedure for the funding program is two-stage: First, a project outline is submitted, and upon positive evaluation, an invitation to submit a formal funding application follows. Submissions are made via the electronic application system easy-Online, where a detailed presentation of the project and its relevance to the funding objectives are crucial.

This funding program is based on the "Guideline for the Promotion of Projects on 'Basic Technologies for Fusion – Towards a Fusion Power Plant'" of January 18, 2024. Funding is provided in compliance with the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and the European Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), which largely defines the state aid provisions.