Funding of Research and Development Projects on the Topic of “Future Water Supply” within the Framework of the Urban-Rural-Future Transformation Initiative

This funding measure is aimed at a wide range of actors from business, science, and the public sector who wish to implement research and development projects in the field of future water supply in Germany, the EEA, and Switzerland. The goal is to develop and implement innovative solutions for a resilient and sustainable water supply.

The program supports research and development in the field of sustainable water supply infrastructures, particularly in three thematic areas: resource and energy efficiency, innovative management and operating concepts, and the networking of grey and blue-green water infrastructures. Both R&D projects and subsequent transfer projects are funded, with the economic viability of the solutions always to be considered.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant and depends on the type of applicant and the project stage. Funding rates vary, with universities and non-university institutions potentially receiving higher grants. Project durations are set differently for research and transfer projects.

The funding is subject to specific rules for application and project implementation. These include the obligation to cooperate in national collaborative projects, compliance with state aid regulations according to the GBER, and willingness to participate in success and evaluation measures.

The application procedure for R&D projects is two-stage. First, a project outline is submitted, followed by a formal grant application for positively evaluated outlines. Submission is done electronically via easy-Online. For transfer projects, there is a separate competitive procedure after the successful completion of the R&D projects.

The "Future Water Supply" funding program is based on a specific BMBF guideline and is deeply rooted in the Federal Government's Research and Innovation Future Strategy and the National Water Strategy. It is regulated by the EU's General Block Exemption Regulation and the Federal Budget Code to ensure legal certainty and transparency.