Research-based teams (up to ~3 researchers/technical staff + 1 with business competence) at German universities/research institutions with ambitious, risky technology development. Company not yet founded (Phase I) / recently founded (Phase II).

What burden and restrictions apply?

Host and startup document personnel, material costs, milestones, formation and commercialization; Phase II has separate award and state-aid conditions. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

EXIST-Forschungstransfer (EXIST Research Transfer)

Phase I supports research-team personnel plus material expenses up to EUR 250,000; Phase II can provide a startup grant up to EUR 180,000, subject to current guidelines. · Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWK) / EXIST, administered by PtJ — Germany · deadline 2026-08-31

German federal grant supporting research-intensive startup projects requiring elaborate, risky R&D. Phase I funds proof of technical feasibility, prototype development and company preparation; Phase II supports the newly founded company's further development toward external financing. Current lifecycle: open; next verified deadline 2026-08-31. Real economics: Phase I supports research-team personnel plus material expenses up to EUR 250,000; Phase II can provide a startup grant up to EUR 180,000, subject to current guidelines..

Tier 2 · ranked #16germanydeep-techuniversity-spinoutresearch

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWK) / EXIST, administered by PtJ — Germany
Amount	Phase I supports research-team personnel plus material expenses up to EUR 250,000; Phase II can provide a startup grant up to EUR 180,000, subject to current guidelines.
Deadline	2026-08-31
Decision time	Formal review includes expert assessment and normally a presentation; timing depends on the annual window and completeness.
Eligibility	Research-based teams (up to ~3 researchers/technical staff + 1 with business competence) at German universities/research institutions with ambitious, risky technology development. Company not yet founded (Phase I) / recently founded (Phase II).
Restrictions	Host and startup document personnel, material costs, milestones, formation and commercialization; Phase II has separate award and state-aid conditions. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
Status	open

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

University or research institution develops transfer proposal
Submit in the applicable annual window
Expert review and presentation
Phase I prototype and company preparation
Form company and apply competitively for Phase II

Background

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWK) / EXIST, administered by PtJ — Germany operates EXIST-Forschungstransfer (EXIST Research Transfer). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. EXIST Research Transfer uses two phases from university prototype to startup launch. The federal program has supported research-based spinouts across Germany. Phase II is a separate competitive follow-on rather than automatic funding.

How the application really works

University or research institution develops transfer proposal → Submit in the applicable annual window → Expert review and presentation → Phase I prototype and company preparation → Form company and apply competitively for Phase II

Tips

Show direct fit with research-intensive technology.
Show direct fit with deep tech.
Show direct fit with scientific commercialization.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is open.
Host and startup document personnel, material costs, milestones, formation and commercialization; Phase II has separate award and state-aid conditions.
Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

Track record

EXIST Research Transfer uses two phases from university prototype to startup launch.
The federal program has supported research-based spinouts across Germany.
Phase II is a separate competitive follow-on rather than automatic funding.

The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: open. Next verified deadline: 2026-08-31.
What is the real economic value?: Phase I supports research-team personnel plus material expenses up to EUR 250,000; Phase II can provide a startup grant up to EUR 180,000, subject to current guidelines.
Who is eligible?: Research-based teams (up to ~3 researchers/technical staff + 1 with business competence) at German universities/research institutions with ambitious, risky technology development. Company not yet founded (Phase I) / recently founded (Phase II).
How does selection work?: University or research institution develops transfer proposal; Submit in the applicable annual window; Expert review and presentation; Phase I prototype and company preparation; Form company and apply competitively for Phase II. Formal review includes expert assessment and normally a presentation; timing depends on the annual window and completeness.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Host and startup document personnel, material costs, milestones, formation and commercialization; Phase II has separate award and state-aid conditions. Support is restricted to the approved work plan, eligible costs and award period; unsupported, unrelated, double-funded or noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
What evidence exists?: EXIST Research Transfer uses two phases from university prototype to startup launch. The federal program has supported research-based spinouts across Germany. Phase II is a separate competitive follow-on rather than automatic funding. The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Sources

exist.de/en/programm/forschungstransfer — Official phases, eligibility and economics (checked 2026-08-10)
exist.de/en/programm/forschungstransfer/antragsstellung — Official federal program and current application context (checked 2026-08-10)