Our funding is covered by rules on state aid. The rules govern both what kind of costs and what proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined for each organization individually. We therefore distinguish between how much funding the project can receive, and how much each participating participant can receive.
How much funding can a participant receive?
How much funding each participating participant can receive mainly depends on:
- which activities the party will carry out in the project
- party size and activities
In this the call for proposals support is given to industrial research and experimental development (Article 25), support of minor importance (De minimis support) and support to start-up companies (Article 22).
Research and development
Industrial research can be simply described as seeking new knowledge through planned research or critical analysis in order to develop or significantly improve products, processes or services. For full definition, see Basis of support and support levels for funding
Experimental development can be simply described as combining, shaping and using existing knowledge to produce new or improved products, processes or services.
For full definition, see Support bases and support levels for funding
What percentage of the costs we can finance - that is, the maximum level of support - depends on the size of the organization and the type of activity.
Maximum aid intensity for company
Industrial research
- Small business: 70%
- Medium-sized company: 60%
- Large company: 50%
Industrial research
If the project includes actual collaboration or dissemination of results, or meets other bonus criteria*
- Small business: 80%
- Medium-sized company: 75%
- Large company: 65%
Experimental Development
- Small business: 45%
- Medium-sized company: 35%
- Large company: 25%
Experimental Development
If the project includes actual collaboration or dissemination of results, or fulfills another bonus basis*
- Small business: 60%
- Medium-sized company: 50%
- Large company: 40%
*Actual collaboration means a certain level of collaboration between small and large companies, between companies in two different European countries or between research organizations and companies.
Dissemination of results means extensive dissemination through, for example, conferences or open databases.
We grant funding in accordance with the EU Commission's regulation (2023/2831) on support of minor importance.
De minimis support ( support of minor importance)
We can finance up to 100 percent of a project party's costs.
An organization can receive a maximum of 300,000 euros over a three-year period in this form of support, regardless of financier and project. This means that if the same organization has received support of less importance in other project from other funders, it affects how big the support can be in this the call for proposals.
To be granted this support, you need to submit a certificate of de-minimum support when you submit proposal.
You can find a link to the form for a certificate of minor support on this page
Support for start-ups
We can finance up to 100 percent of the company's costs.
By start-up company is meant a company like:
- has fewer than 50 employees
- is not listed on the stock exchange
- no profit distributed yet
- was registered, started its activities or became liable to pay tax less than five years ago
- has not taken over another company's activities, acquired or formed through a merger – for exceptions, see Support bases and support levels for funding
For the full definition of an innovative start-up company, see Basis of support and support levels for funding.
We grant funding in accordance with Article 22 of the European Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).
What costs can we finance?
Our funding may only go to certain types of costs. These are called eligible costs.
In this the call for proposals these types of costs are eligible:
- Personnel costs: Salaries, social security contributions and other personnel costs
- Equipment, land and buildings: Instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises
- Consulting and license costs: Consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or used under license from an external actor
- Other direct costs: For example materials, stock items and travel necessary to carry out the project
- Indirect costs (overhead): Costs that are not incurred as an immediate consequence of but can be related to the project, for example regular premises and cleaning. Indirect costs may constitute a maximum of 30 percent of personnel costs
For more detailed information on which costs we can finance, see our instruction on eligible costs.
Which eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?
For a cost to be eligible for support, it must be necessary for the activities of the project. Project costs must also be properly accounted for and reported separately from the organization's other costs. An organization may also not take up someone else's costs as its own.
For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our instruction on eligible costs.
Not state aid
In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organizations that do not carry out economic activities. This generally includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organizations that do not offer a service or product on a market.
We can finance up to 100 percent of such organizations' costs.
How do you determine if an organization carries out economic activities?
An organization that offers any kind of service or product on a market is considered to be conducting economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support. It does not matter how the organization is financed, whether it is public or private, or whether it has a profit motive. It also does not matter what legal form the business takes - that is, whether it is a limited liability company, a trading company, an economic association, a non-profit association or a foundation.
If you are unsure whether an organization in your project carries out financial activities, contact call manager. However, the organization itself is responsible for assessing whether it carries out economic activities.
