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Innovation in SME (KMU-innovativ): Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

This funding initiative by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) aims to strengthen the innovation potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of ICT. The program supports ambitious R&D projects carried out by SMEs or in consortia with research institutions or industry. It promotes excellence, innovation, and the contribution to socially relevant challenges. Eligible are projects in the fields of software-intensive systems (SWS), communication systems, and IT security.

The call is technology-open within ICT and emphasizes high scientific-technological risk and novelty beyond the current state of the art. Projects must lead to significant advancements in ICT applications (e.g., new products, services, or processes). Funding is available for industrial research and pre-competitive development projects with application relevance in sectors such as mobility, automation, health, logistics, energy, and digital economy.

Deadlines:

  • Continuous submission possible

  • Evaluation dates: April 15 and October 15

  • Final deadline: October 15, 2025

Important eligibility criteria:

  • SMEs must lead or significantly contribute to the research activities.

  • Projects must fall within ICT and show a high degree of novelty and risk.

  • Consortium projects must ensure that SMEs perform at least half of the total R&D work.

  • Foreign partners may participate but are not eligible for funding.

Expected Outcome

The program aims to:

  • Increase the number of innovative SMEs active in ICT R&D

  • Promote new research collaborations between SMEs and science/industry

  • Enable exploitation of R&D results into marketable solutions

  • Encourage spin-offs and startup creation

  • Improve employee competencies and generate skilled jobs

  • Stimulate patent activity and visibility of results
    (Ultimately, it supports SME-driven innovation as a central pillar of Germany’s competitiveness.)

Scope

Eligible projects are industrial research or pre-competitive development in ICT with high risk and novelty. Two main technology areas are supported:

  • Software-intensive systems (SWS): Includes e.g. software architecture, resilience, human-machine interaction, real-time performance, modularity, and sustainability of software.

  • Communication systems and IT security (KIS): Includes 5G/6G, AI in networks, THz communication, data protection, secure systems, disinformation detection, and quantum communication.

Applications should target fields like mobility, automation, medicine, logistics, energy, or the digital economy. Data-driven approaches must ensure high data quality and availability.

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Related Knowledgebase Resources

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Diese Fördermaßnahme des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) verfolgt das Ziel, das Innovationspotenzial von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) im Bereich IKT zu stärken. Unterstützt werden risikoreiche FuE-Vorhaben einzelner KMU oder im Verbund mit Forschungseinrichtungen oder Industriepartnern. Zentrale Kriterien sind Exzellenz, Innovationsgrad und der Beitrag zur Lösung gesellschaftlich relevanter Herausforderungen. Förderfähig sind Projekte in den Technologiebereichen Software-intensive Systeme (SWS), Kommunikationssysteme und IT-Sicherheit.

Die Bekanntmachung ist themenoffen innerhalb der IKT. Voraussetzung sind hohe wissenschaftlich-technische Risiken und ein Neuheitsgrad über den Stand der Technik hinaus. Ziel ist die Entwicklung innovativer Produkte, Verfahren oder Dienstleistungen in den Anwendungsfeldern Mobilität, Automatisierung, Gesundheit, Logistik, Energie oder der digitalen Wirtschaft.

Abgabefristen:

  • Laufende Einreichung möglich

  • Bewertungsstichtage: 15. April und 15. Oktober

  • Letzter Stichtag: 15. Oktober 2025

Wichtige Teilnahmevoraussetzungen:

  • KMU müssen federführend oder maßgeblich beteiligt sein.

  • Es muss ein signifikanter wissenschaftlich-technischer Neuheitsgrad im IKT-Bereich vorliegen.

  • In Verbundvorhaben müssen KMU mindestens 50 % der Projektarbeit leisten.

  • Ausländische Partner sind zulässig, aber nicht förderfähig.