Get Our Assistance With German Funding 

Germany's R&D and innovation policy is shaped by the federal government's Hightech Agenda Deutschland, which succeeded the High-Tech Strategy 2025. With R&D expenditure at 3.17% of GDP in the latest available data (2024), Germany already exceeds the EU's 3% target, but the federal government aims to go further and raise total public and private R&D spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030. 

At the federal level, the key actors are the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. They fund R&D through thematic programmes and technology-open schemes such as the Central Innovation Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), known as ZIM. Many federal programmes are run by project management agencies, which handle calls, evaluation and project administration. The KfW promotional bank complements grant funding with low-interest ERP loans for innovation and digitalisation projects, mainly aimed at SMEs.  

Alongside project funding, the Research Allowance (Forschungszulage) provides a tax-based incentive open to companies of all sizes subject to taxation in Germany. It is regulated by the Research Allowance Act (FZulG). The eligibility of projects is certified by the BSFZ (Bescheinigungsstelle Forschungszulage), while the allowance itself is granted by the tax authorities. 

At the regional level, the federal states run their own R&D and innovation support through state ministries and their promotional banks and agencies. Programmes differ by state, typically require a business location in the respective state, and many are co-financed through EU structural funds, in particular the European Regional Development Fund. 

Get our help to secure funding for your R&D activities! 

Building on more than 10 years of experience with EU, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish funding programmes, we now also help clients apply for German funding. Our multidisciplinary team of experts provides tailored and comprehensive support to reduce the cost of your R&D activities.