EXIST Research Transfer
EXIST-Forschungstransfer
Phase I: team salaries at the host institution (up to 4 FTE, public pay scale) plus up to EUR 250,000 for materials, equipment and IP, incl. EUR 10,000 coaching; Phase II: grant to the new company of up to EUR 180,000 (75%, own funds 1:3). Provided by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) / Projektträger Jülich.
Check if you qualify for EXIST Research Transfer
Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot opens EXIST Research Transfer for you and shows what already fits, what blocks you and what to do next.
- Concrete reasons, not a score
- Deadline and first steps
- Other programs that fit you
Key facts
- Amount
- Phase I: team salaries at the host institution (up to 4 FTE, public pay scale) plus up to EUR 250,000 for materials, equipment and IP, incl. EUR 10,000 coaching; Phase II: grant to the new company of up to EUR 180,000 (75%, own funds 1:3)
- Duration
- Phase I 18 months (up to 36 for very high-risk projects); Phase II usually 18 months
- Type
- Grant
- Who receives it
- Founding team
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Idea, Prototype, Pre-revenue
- Solo founders
- No
- Full-time required
- Yes
- Company required
- No
- University link required
- Yes
- Application languages
- DE
- Location
- Team employed at a German university or research institution in Phase I; company in Germany for Phase II
Who can apply
- Research-based, technically demanding start-up idea from a German university or research institution
- Phase I: the host institution applies; the team (up to 4 FTE) is employed there, usually with academic degrees, at least one person with business skills
- Phase II: the company founded in or after Phase I applies, at the latest 6 months after Phase I ends
- Phase II needs own or investor capital at a 1:3 ratio to the grant
What usually blocks applicants
- No host institution willing to apply and employ the team
- Idea is not research-based (use EXIST-Gründungsstipendium instead)
- Students do not count as team members
- Company already founded before Phase I
Deadline and timing
Next deadline: 30 November 2026
Phase I collection dates 31 Mar, 31 Aug and 30 Nov (jury about 3 months later); Phase II dates 15 Jan, 15 Mar, 15 May, 15 Jul, 15 Sep, 15 Nov. Guideline runs to 31 Dec 2029.
Frequently asked
How much does EXIST Research Transfer pay?
Phase I: team salaries at the host institution (up to 4 FTE, public pay scale) plus up to EUR 250,000 for materials, equipment and IP, incl. EUR 10,000 coaching; Phase II: grant to the new company of up to EUR 180,000 (75%, own funds 1:3)
Who can apply for EXIST Research Transfer?
Stages: idea, prototype, pre-revenue. A founding team is required. You can apply before registering a company. You need a link to a university or research institution. Location: Team employed at a German university or research institution in Phase I; company in Germany for Phase II. The full list of conditions is under Who can apply above.
When is the EXIST Research Transfer deadline?
Phase I collection dates 31 Mar, 31 Aug and 30 Nov (jury about 3 months later); Phase II dates 15 Jan, 15 Mar, 15 May, 15 Jul, 15 Sep, 15 Nov. Guideline runs to 31 Dec 2029.
Where do I apply for EXIST Research Transfer?
On the official page: https://www.ptj.de/foerdermoeglichkeiten/exist/forschungstransfer. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back EXIST Research Transfer or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for EXIST Research Transfer?
No, this program expects a founding team.
Sources and verification
Checked on 19 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Germany (nationwide)
- Support for the Self-Employed (SGB II 16c)Usually a loan, grant only in individual cases (grants capped at EUR 5,000 per business; loans can be higher) for necessary business equipment; plus free coaching via third-party providers
- Prototype FundUp to EUR 47,500 (individual) or EUR 95,000 (team) for 6 months; optional 4-month Second Stage up to EUR 31,667 (individual) or about EUR 63,000 (team)
- KMU-innovativ ICTProject grant: 50% of eligible costs for industrial research, 25% for experimental development, plus 20 points for small firms (10 for medium); max 80%; usually up to 3 years
- DigiRess Circular: digital circular business modelsEUR 100,000 to 1 million per project for up to about 3 years; small firms get up to 85% of costs, so about 15% is your own share
- WIPANO Patent Grant for SMEs50% of external costs: up to EUR 10,000 for the patent or utility-model filing process (module 1) plus up to EUR 6,000 for cost-benefit analysis and first exploitation steps (module 2)
- KMU-innovativ: Medical TechnologyDe minimis route: up to 80% (small firms) or 70% (medium) of costs, max EUR 300,000 over 3 years; GBER route: 50% industrial research / 25% experimental development, up to 80% with SME and collaboration bonuses