Funding for Innovation Competence with Non-Profit Industrial Research Institutions (INNO-KOM)

Open

Who is funded?

The INNO-KOM program targets legally independent, non-profit industrial research institutions with their registered office or branch in structurally weak regions of Germany. It aims to indirectly strengthen the innovation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these areas and contribute to ecological transformation.

What is funded?

The program funds various types of research and development projects as well as investments in scientific-technical infrastructure. This includes both pre-competitive and market-oriented projects characterized by a high degree of novelty and technical risk. Eligible costs include personnel, material, and indirect costs, while certain expenses such as freelance fees or routine changes are excluded.

Type and Scope of Funding

Funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant, which is awarded as partial funding. The funding amount varies depending on the type of project and research institution, with upper limits applying to the maximum grant amount. Project durations for research and development projects are generally limited to 30 months, while investment projects have shorter, approval-year-related durations.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants must meet certain requirements, including non-profit status, a stable financial situation, and the necessary infrastructure. Projects must demonstrate a high degree of novelty and technical risk and must not have already started. Cooperations are possible and require a cooperation agreement. The funding is subject to the rules of the EU Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation and includes reporting obligations and exploitation requirements.

Application Procedure

The application procedure requires the submission of specific forms and documents to EURONORM GmbH. While applications for research and development projects can be submitted at any time, there is a fixed deadline for investment projects. Approval is discretionary and considers funding priorities, especially for sustainability-related projects.

Legal Basis

The legal basis of the funding program is the Directive on the Promotion of Innovation Competence with Non-Profit Industrial Research Institutions (INNO-KOM) of January 2, 2023. This is supplemented and regulated by general administrative regulations of the Federal Budget Code as well as other laws such as the Administrative Procedure Act and the Subsidy Act. The funding is also subject to the EU Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation.