Start-up Financing for Horizon Europe

At the start of Horizon Europe - the ninth EU research and innovation framework programme – the former German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (now: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) designed a support programme to encourage the participation of German research and innovation actors in the framework programme. The funding initiative supported consortium building and preparation for European collaborative research within Pillar II of Horizon Europe for up to twelve months.

In the period from 31 May 2021 to 30 September 2023, applications for funding could be submitted by specific cut-off dates. The funding initiative ended with the last cut-off date. It is currently not possible to submit applications and receive funding via the "A-HEU" instrument.

Should the funding initiative be renewed, all relevant information will be made available on the website of the EU-Bureau of the BMFTR, and be advertised in the newsletter of the EU-Bureau of the BMFTR (available in German only).

The Funding Guidelines – the Most Important Facts in Short

German universities, research institutions, municipalities as well as small and medium-sized enterprises were able to apply to the former German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (now: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) for funding of up to 50,000 euros over a maximum period of twelve months to establish and coordinate a consortium and prepare a proposal for collaborative projects in Horizon Europe’s Pillar II "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness" together with research partners. Proposals prepared for collaborative projects within European partnerships that were thematically relevant to Pillar II were also eligible.