State Programme for Economy 2021–2027 – Initial Funding for SME Innovation Projects (EIK) – Transfer Bonus and HighTech Bonus

This funding program primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a registered office or permanent establishment in Schleswig-Holstein that wish to implement innovation projects. It also supports young commercial enterprises, especially start-ups, in building and scaling innovative business models. The program aims to strengthen innovation activities in companies and intensify start-up and transfer activities.

The program promotes a wide range of innovation-related services and investments that contribute to the development or improvement of products, processes, and services. This includes technology transfer services, research and development projects, and measures for building and scaling innovative business models. Certain expenses such as pure office rents or investments in fossil fuels are excluded from funding.

Funding is granted as a non-repayable grant, with the amount of the grant varying depending on company size and the type of bonus. There are defined minimum and maximum limits for eligible expenses per project and a cap of a maximum of three funded projects per company. The project duration is also limited.

Specific legal and substantive requirements apply to the application and project implementation, including the innovation degree of the project, the independence of client and contractor, and the securing of overall financing. The program is subject to the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and the De Minimis Regulation, which affects cumulation with other aid. Furthermore, EU climate and environmental standards must be observed.

The application must generally be submitted electronically via the Service Portal of the State of Schleswig-Holstein to the Business Development and Technology Transfer Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH) before the start of the project. There is a single-stage procedure for the Transfer and HighTech Bonus and a two-stage procedure for the Seed and SeedInvest Bonus. Approval is granted at the discretion of the authority and takes into account selection criteria such as the degree of innovation and ecological significance.

The funding program is anchored by a specific guideline of the State of Schleswig-Holstein and is subject to a variety of national and European legal provisions. This comprehensive legal basis ensures funding conformity and regulates the processing, auditing, and control of grants.