Research Funding

Industrial Collective Research (Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung – IGF) acts as the bridge between fundamental research and industrial application. The objective of the program is to balance out the structural disadvantages of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of research and development. The research projects focus on the needs and interests of the business with the business being fully involved.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) supports Industrial Collective Research Projects (IGF) with around 180 million euros in public funding per year. Since 1 January 2024, the DLR Projektträger (project management agency) has been commissioned by the Federal Ministry (BMWK) to implement the IGF program. This also includes the implementation of projects as part of the transnational CORNET network in cooperation with the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). While the nationwide IGF program supports SME-oriented research in Germany, CORNET links funding programs from different countries and regions to enable international pre-competitive collective research projects for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises.

For further information see: