R&D Tax Incentive & Innovation Funding
Funding for Innovative Companies in Germany and Europe
We support companies in successfully applying for the Forschungszulage (R&D tax incentive), national funding programmes, and the EIC Accelerator. The Forschungszulage is designed to promote companies and their independent R&D activities in order to drive greater innovation. SMEs can receive reimbursement of up to 35% of their R&D costs. For contract research, a flat rate of 70% of the remuneration paid is treated as eligible expenditure.
The application process illustrated
Who can benefit?
Startups
Innovative young companies with research and development activities. .
SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises across a wide range of industries.
Technology Companies
Companies with a technical focus and scalable innovation projects.
What is funded?
Level of funding
Deadlines
European Excellence Funding for Innovative Companies
(EIC Accelerator)
The EIC Accelerator specifically promotes SME innovations with high market potential. The focus is on companies that demonstrate high growth potential and operate at a European or international level. Only individual grants are awarded within the framework of the Accelerator. Financial assistance of between €0.5 million and €2.5 million or mixed financing consisting of a grant and capital financing can be applied for. The prerequisite for this is that the research must be largely complete. To this end, the technology must function in a relevant environment and a functional prototype must exist (or be available shortly).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are single SMEs or, in exceptional cases, small mid-caps (up to 499 employees), registered in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country. The innovation must be at TRL 6 or above — meaning the technology is demonstrated in a relevant environment.
Funding options
Two tracks are available: a grant-only option (up to €2.5M, covering 70% of eligible costs) and blended finance combining a grant with equity investment of €1M–€10M. The grant is awarded only once per company for the duration of Horizon Europe (2021–2027), so timing the application well matters.
How the application works
The process runs in three stages: a short proposal (form + pitch deck + 3-minute video), a full proposal if successful, and a final interview with an EIC jury. Success rates sit between 5–8%, so preparation is critical.
Our Support
Eligibility assessment
Strategic positioning
Application and business plan
Pitch and interview preparation
Our Customers
