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EXIST Business Start-up Grant

EXIST-Gründungsstipendium

Per person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coaching. Provided by BMWE / Projektträger Jülich (applied via host university).

Germany (nationwide)StipendEquity-free
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Key facts

Amount
Per person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coaching
Duration
12 months
Type
Stipend
Who receives it
Founding team
Equity
Equity-free
Repayable
No
Stages
Idea, Prototype
Solo founders
Yes
Full-time required
Yes
Company required
No
University link required
Yes
Application languages
DE, EN

Who can apply

  • Researchers, graduates or former academic staff (up to 5 years after degree or leaving), or students with at least half of their studies done (students only as part of a team)
  • Teams of up to 3; one member may have a vocational qualification or an older degree
  • The university or research institution (founding network) submits the application to PtJ
  • Innovative product or service with good economic prospects
  • Company may only be founded after funding starts
  • No other stipend, employment or living-cost funding at the same time (paused job/sabbatical is OK); paid side work max 20 h/month
  • Teams made up mostly of students are funded only in exceptional cases

What usually blocks applicants

  • No university/research link
  • Already incorporated
  • Employed or on another stipend at the same time
  • Paid side work over 20 hours per month
  • No host institution willing to sponsor

What the official documents say

  • Per month: EUR 3,000 PhD, 2,500 graduate, 2,000 vocational, 1,000 student; +EUR 150 per child (p. 3)
  • Materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team), plus up to EUR 5,000 coaching; max 3 people (p. 3)
  • Degree or last university/research job no more than 5 years ago; students need half their studies done (p. 2)
  • Company may be founded during funding, but not before the project starts (p. 2)
  • No parallel stipend, job or living-cost funding; paid side work max 20 hours per month (p. 2)
  • Applications can be filed until 31 Dec 2027; guideline valid until 31 Dec 2029 (p. 7)
Official PDF (DE): Richtlinie zur Förderung von Unternehmensgründungen (EXIST-Gründungsstipendium) im Rahmen des Programms „Existenzgründungen aus der Wissenschaft“, version 2023-04-11

Deadline and timing

No fixed deadlines; the host institution can submit at any time, and funding can start 3 months after a complete application. The current guideline accepts applications until 31 Dec 2027 (guideline in force until 31 Dec 2029).

Frequently asked

How much does EXIST Business Start-up Grant pay?

Per person per month for 12 months: EUR 3,000 (PhD), 2,500 (graduates), 2,000 (vocational qualification), 1,000 (students); + EUR 150 per child; + materials up to EUR 10,000 (solo) or 30,000 (team); + EUR 5,000 coaching

Who can apply for EXIST Business Start-up Grant?

Researchers, graduates or former academic staff (up to 5 years after degree or leaving), or students with at least half of their studies done (students only as part of a team) Teams of up to 3; one member may have a vocational qualification or an older degree The university or research institution (founding network) submits the application to PtJ Innovative product or service with good economic prospects Company may only be founded after funding starts No other stipend, employment or living-cost funding at the same time (paused job/sabbatical is OK); paid side work max 20 h/month Teams made up mostly of students are funded only in exceptional cases

When is the EXIST Business Start-up Grant deadline?

No fixed deadlines; the host institution can submit at any time, and funding can start 3 months after a complete application. The current guideline accepts applications until 31 Dec 2027 (guideline in force until 31 Dec 2029).

Where do I apply for EXIST Business Start-up Grant?

On the official page: https://www.ptj.de/projektfoerderung/exist/gruendungsstipendium. Applications are accepted in DE, EN.

Do I have to pay back EXIST Business Start-up Grant or give up equity?

No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.

Can solo founders apply for EXIST Business Start-up Grant?

Yes, solo founders can apply.

Sources and verification

Checked on 8 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.

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