Funding for Research and Infrastructure at Universities and Non-University Research Institutions

Last updated: 13.6.2025
Grant

The Saarland supported universities and non-university research institutions to strengthen regional research and development priorities and create modern research infrastructure. The goal was to increase performance and competitiveness through innovation, especially in the areas of AI, digital transformation, and energy and resource efficiency, also with the support of the REACT-EU initiative.

Who is funded?

This program supported universities and non-university research institutions based in Germany to strengthen regional research and development priorities in Saarland and create modern research infrastructure. The aim was to increase innovation capacity and competitiveness through targeted funding, particularly in key areas such as Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, and energy and resource efficiency.

What is funded?

The program supported scientific research and development projects within existing or emerging research priorities, research- and transfer-relevant infrastructure measures, and specific research, development, and innovation projects in the context of the REACT-EU initiative, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation.

Type and Scope of Funding

Funding was provided in the form of a non-repayable grant, either as partial funding or, in specific cases, as full funding. Funding rates varied depending on the type of applicant institution and the project. The maximum project duration for scientific R&D projects was limited to four years.

Conditions and Requirements

The funding was tied to specific legal and substantive conditions, including the obligation for the project to be primarily carried out in Saarland and compliance with a detailed cost and financing plan. Project commencement was generally only permitted after approval, with exceptions for REACT-EU projects. Additionally, state aid regulations and the provisions of EU regulations had to be observed.

Application Procedure

The application procedure required the written and electronic submission of documents to the respective competent department of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy in Saarland. A detailed project description and a cost and financing plan were obligatory.

The funding program was based on a specific guideline of Saarland for the promotion of research and infrastructure at universities and non-university research institutions, which was last amended in April 2023. Additionally, various EU regulations and the Saarland Budget Ordinance applied.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

up to 75 percent of eligible costs (non-university research institutions); up to 100 percent of eligible costs (university projects and REACT-EU projects)

Open Until

Open Until:

31.03.2024

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Individual Aid

Region

Region:

Saarland (Germany)

Sectors

Sectors:

Research and Development, Information and Communication Technology, Green Technology

Application Type

Application Type:

Single Applicant

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Basic Research, Applied Research, Experimental Development, Infrastructure

Funding Provider

Program Level:

Regional

Funding Body:

Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy (Saarland), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Union (EU)

Managed By:

Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, Department C/2 (for universities, excluding infrastructure and REACT-EU), Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, Department C/3 (for non-university research, research capacities, and all other applications)

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