SME Innovative & Digital (MID) Assistant

This chapter explains which companies can be funded under the MID-Assistant program and under what conditions. It primarily targets micro and small enterprises in North Rhine-Westphalia that wish to advance their innovation and digitization projects by hiring university graduates. The goal is targeted knowledge transfer into the company to strengthen its innovative capacity.

This section describes the types of projects and associated activities that receive financial support under the MID-Assistant program. The focus is on innovation, sustainability, and digitization projects that represent a novelty or significant improvement for the company.

This chapter explains the financial details of the MID-Assistant funding program, including the type of financial support, the maximum funding amount, and the project duration. Companies receive a non-repayable grant for hiring a university graduate for a period of two years.

This section addresses the essential prerequisites and rules that applicants and funded companies must meet within the MID-Assistant program. These include general eligibility conditions, remuneration requirements, de minimis regulations, and financial provisions intended to ensure project success.

This section guides through the application process for the MID-Assistant program, from preparation to the funding decision and the disbursement of funds. The procedure is designed as a "first-come, first-served" basis, where applications can be submitted continuously digitally.

This section outlines the legal foundations of the MID-Assistant funding program. It identifies the relevant directive that establishes the program, as well as other central legal provisions and European regulations that govern its implementation and the granting of aid.