LOEWE – State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence

The LOEWE program aims to sustainably strengthen scientific excellence and innovation in Hesse. Funding is primarily directed at Hessian universities and research institutions, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hesse. Individual outstanding scientists can also receive support through special funding lines. Projects must be located in Hesse and contribute to the profiling of Hesse's research landscape.

The LOEWE program supports a variety of research projects and structures across five funding lines, including established research networks, the development of new focal points, research and development joint projects between science and SMEs, the appointment of excellent professors, and novel, risky research ideas. Funding covers personnel, material, and investment costs, while basic research and pure application development are generally excluded.

The LOEWE program provides grants, with the funding amount and duration varying by funding line. The maximum annual funding per project can range from €150,000 to €6 million, with project durations of up to seven years. Own contributions from the applying institutions are often required to ensure the sustainability of the projects.

Specific formal and content-related conditions apply to the application and project implementation within the LOEWE program. These include requirements for application language and format, consortium and cooperation requirements, and regulations on state aid. Project budgets are subject to strict rules regarding the use of funds and proof. In addition, overarching aspects such as quality assurance, intellectual property, and gender equality must be observed.

The application procedure in the LOEWE program is predominantly two-stage and competitive. It usually begins with the submission of a sketch, followed by a full application after positive evaluation. Professorships and SME joint projects, however, can be submitted at any time, partly with rolling evaluations. Selection is based on scientific excellence and strategic integration into Hesse's research landscape.

The legal basis of the LOEWE program is the "LOEWE – Excellent Research for Hesse's Future Funding Guideline". This guideline, along with other budgetary and state aid regulations, governs the implementation of the program and ensures its legitimacy and compliance with national and European provisions. The program was launched in 2008 to provide scientific policy impulses and sustainably strengthen Hesse's research landscape.