ESF Plus Founding Initiative
The Free State of Saxony supports innovative founding projects from universities and research institutions with the ESF Plus Founding Initiative. The goal is to establish a culture of self-employment and entrepreneurial thinking, especially in natural sciences and engineering disciplines. The program offers grants for standard and innovative projects to support potential founders from idea development to the business plan.
Who is funded: Target groups and regional focus
The program targets universities and non-university research institutions in the Free State of Saxony that aim to establish founding initiatives to promote company spin-offs from academia. The target group of the initiatives themselves are students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and scientific staff, primarily from natural sciences and engineering disciplines.
What is funded: Project content and thematic areas
Both standard projects and innovative projects that support company spin-offs from academia are funded. This includes idea development, consulting, qualification, and raising awareness among potential founders, as well as testing new solutions and building networks. Activities that are part of the applicants' mandatory duties are excluded.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding is provided as a grant for project financing, with the funding amount and duration varying depending on the type of project (standard or innovative). Direct personnel costs and lump sums for remaining costs are subsidized. A fixed maximum funding amount in euros is not specified.
Conditions and Requirements
For funding, the founding initiatives must meet certain criteria, such as clear demarcation from mandatory duties and other funding programs. Furthermore, the funded projects must be non-economic in nature and ensure the separation of funding from state budgetary funds. Cooperative projects are possible and require the naming of partners.
Application Procedure: Step by Step
The application for the ESF Plus Founding Initiatives is submitted via the online portal of Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB). Applications for standard projects are to be submitted after corresponding calls for funding, with an earlier deadline for 2022 mentioned. The selection is made by the granting authority within the scope of available funds.
Legal Basis
The funding program is based on the ESF Plus Funding Guideline Founding Initiatives (ESF Plus-FRL GRI) of the Saxon State Ministry for Economy, Labour and Transport, supplemented by the Saxon Budget Code and the EU Framework Guideline for ESF Plus-funded projects. It is also subject to the Union Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Open
Maximum Amount:
Up to 90 percent of eligible expenses
Open Until:
31.12.2030
Award Channel:
Competitive Tender
Region:
Saxony (Germany)
Sectors:
Research and Development, Other
Application Type:
Optional Consortium
Funding Stages:
Feasibility Study, Prototyping, Capacity Building, Awareness Campaigns, Applied Research, Experimental Development, Planning
Funding Provider
Program Level:
Regional
Funding Body:
Saxon State Ministry for Economy, Labour and Transport (SMWA)
Managed By:
Sächsische Aufbaubank – Development Bank – (SAB)
Additional Partners:
futureSAX GmbH