Funding of Research and Development Projects within the Seventh National Civil Aviation Research Program

This funding program is aimed at a wide range of actors from business and science who wish to carry out innovative research and development projects in the field of civil aviation. The funding aims to strengthen Germany's position in aviation technology and accelerate the transition to climate-neutral aviation.

The program supports diverse research and development projects in civil aviation, from basic research to experimental development. Key themes include climate-neutral technologies and digitalization, with eligible costs varying depending on the type of project and applicant category.

Funding is provided as a grant and offers flexible funding rates, which vary depending on the type of project and applicant, to support different research and development stages. The maximum funding amount per consortium project can be up to 15 million Euros, and the project duration is limited to a maximum of 48 months.

To receive funding, applicants must meet certain legal and project-related conditions, including the project start after application submission and a clear result definition. Cooperation projects must be regulated by written agreements, and SMEs may receive additional bonuses if they comply with EU criteria.

The application procedure is designed in two stages: first, a project outline is submitted, and upon positive evaluation, a formal funding application follows. The entire process is handled electronically via easy-Online and managed by the Aerospace Research Project Management Agency.

The legal basis of the LuFo Klima VII Program consists of the funding guidelines of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, which have been published in the Federal Gazette. Additionally, there are specific guidelines for outline submission from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which provide details for the application.