Funding for Digital Technologies and Innovations – Distr@l: Strengthening Digitalization – Living Transfer

The Distr@l program targets a broad spectrum of actors in Hesse who are implementing innovative digitalization projects or are active in digital research and development. Eligibility varies by funding line and includes small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, non-university research institutions, and young companies. The program aims to strengthen the digital competitiveness of Hesse as an economic location and to promote knowledge and technology transfer between science and industry.

The Distr@l program supports a wide range of digital innovation projects and research and development projects with a digitalization focus. Funding covers feasibility studies, product and process innovations, knowledge transfer, and the validation of research results. Young companies with high growth potential in the digital context are also supported to accelerate their development.

The Distr@l program provides funding in the form of non-repayable grants, the amount and funding rate of which vary depending on the funding line. The maximum funding amount is up to 1 million euros. The program's duration is limited until the end of 2028 or the end of 2030, with individual projects being funded within this framework.

Funding under the Distr@l program is subject to various conditions, ranging from application and approval requirements to procurement and aid regulations, as well as general project requirements. Special attention is paid to the refinancing prohibition and compliance with the SME definition, as well as specific cooperation conditions for collaborative projects.

The application procedure for the Distr@l program is generally two-stage, with a project outline submitted first, followed by a detailed project description and the formal application. The evaluation is carried out by expert advisory bodies and a jury, which make funding recommendations. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, and approval is granted after a positive review by the Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen.

The Distr@l program is based on the Hessian State Guideline for the Promotion of Digital Technologies and Innovations of December 13, 2023. It is regulated by various state and European legal provisions, in particular by the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and the EU De minimis Regulation, as well as by Hessian budgetary law.