Funding for Model and Demonstration Projects and Further Measures for Knowledge and Technology Transfer from Research and Development Projects in Sustainable Plant Production

This funding program is aimed at natural and legal persons with a domicile in Germany who act as providers of knowledge transfer and information measures. Beneficiaries are companies in primary agricultural production, as well as the processing or marketing of agricultural products, who participate as demonstration farms or participants in qualification and information measures. The goal is to establish sustainable and innovative plant production measures through targeted knowledge and technology transfer.

Funding is provided for model and demonstration projects as well as accompanying measures for knowledge and technology transfer that focus on plant production issues in agriculture and horticulture. This includes innovative cultivation systems, plant health, soil protection, and resource efficiency. The eligibility of expenses is specifically regulated, whereby project-specific additional expenses can be subsidized up to 100 percent, and investments are limited to 100,000 euros over three fiscal years.

The program offers financial support in the form of non-repayable grants, which are generally awarded as project funding on an expenditure basis, and in justified cases, as full financing. The grants can cover up to 100 percent of the eligible expenses or costs. For investments, a maximum limit of 100,000 euros applies over a period of three fiscal years. The maximum project duration is six years.

The program sets specific requirements for applicants and beneficiaries, including a two-stage application process and detailed concept descriptions. Funding is subject to the framework regulation for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sector and requires transparency as well as compliance with budgetary legal requirements. Furthermore, collaborations are possible, taking into account procurement regulations.

The application procedure is two-stage and competitive. Interested parties can submit project outlines within the framework of thematic calls for proposals via the electronic application system easy-Online. Following a positive evaluation of the outline, an invitation to submit a detailed funding application will follow. The selection is based on content quality and the availability of budgetary funds, with external experts possibly being consulted.

The funding program is based on a guideline from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture dated August 8, 2024. It is regulated by the Federal Budget Code (BHO), the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG), and the EU framework regulation for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sector, as well as specific EU regulations for the agricultural market. Official texts are accessible via the BLE form cabinet and the Federal Gazette.