Funding for Research, Technology, and Innovation (FTI-Thuringia TRANSFER) – Cold Rent Exemption

This funding program primarily targets sponsoring organizations and operating companies of technology and start-up centers (TGZ) and application centers (APZ) in Thuringia. These institutions can receive grants for cold rent exemption for young, technology-oriented, knowledge-based, or creative industry companies. The funding aims to strengthen the innovative capacity of Thuringia's economy and accelerate the transfer of research results.

Within the scope of this program, rent exemptions for young companies in technology and start-up centers as well as application centers are primarily funded. Additionally, innovation-supporting research and development services for young companies in cooperation with research institutions can be funded, provided these result from a competitive process. The funding aims to support the early development phase and technology transfer.

The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant. The maximum funding amount for sponsoring organizations or operating companies is up to 200,000 Euros per year, with individual beneficiary companies able to receive a maximum of 10,000 Euros per year. Project durations for the cold rent exemption are limited to a maximum of 12 months.

Specific conditions apply to the application and implementation of the projects. These include project implementation in Thuringia, securing overall financing, and compliance with the de minimis regulation. Special attention is also paid to the age limits of the beneficiary companies and the requirements for passing on the cold rent exemption.

The application for funding is submitted via the online portal of Thüringer Aufbaubank. For the cold rent exemption, applications are accepted on fixed deadlines. The approval of the grant is made by Thüringer Aufbaubank at its discretion within the scope of available budgetary funds.

The FTI-Thuringia TRANSFER funding program, and specifically the cold rent exemption, are based on the FTI-Thuringia TRANSFER Guideline of March 13, 2024. It is subject to the provisions of the Thuringian SME Promotion Act, the Thuringian State Budget Code, and the Thuringian Administrative Procedure Act, as well as the aid provisions of the European Union, particularly the De minimis Regulation.