Pro FIT Project Funding
Pro FIT – Projektfinanzierung
Grants up to EUR 500,000 (industrial research, up to 80% incl. bonuses) and loans up to EUR 1m (experimental development, production setup and market launch, up to 80%, term up to 10 years). Provided by Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) for the State of Berlin.
Check if you qualify for Pro FIT Project Funding
Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot opens Pro FIT Project Funding 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
- Grants up to EUR 500,000 (industrial research, up to 80% incl. bonuses) and loans up to EUR 1m (experimental development, production setup and market launch, up to 80%, term up to 10 years)
- Duration
- projects usually up to 3 years
- Type
- Grant
- Who receives it
- Company
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- Unclear
- Stages
- Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- Unclear
- Company required
- Yes
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- DE
- Location
- Company seat or separate establishment in Berlin
Who can apply
- SMEs alone or in consortia with companies or research institutions; large firms only in consortia
- Technology R&D projects: industrial research, experimental development, production setup, market preparation and launch
- Personnel costs plus a flat 40% for other costs
- Apply in the IBB customer portal with the Pro FIT financial planner; two external expert reviews
- Work may start after the application arrives, at own risk
What usually blocks applicants
- Experimental development for SMEs is funded as a loan, not a grant
- Shareholders usually give joint-and-several guarantees for loans
- Needs a solid R&D project plan and own co-financing
- Later-stage loans count as de minimis, which can cap the loan
Deadline and timing
Rolling; new Pro FIT guidelines apply from 1 Jan 2026, no end date stated. Monthly funding committee.
Frequently asked
How much does Pro FIT Project Funding pay?
Grants up to EUR 500,000 (industrial research, up to 80% incl. bonuses) and loans up to EUR 1m (experimental development, production setup and market launch, up to 80%, term up to 10 years)
Who can apply for Pro FIT Project Funding?
Stages: prototype, pre-revenue, revenue, incorporated. Solo founders can apply. You need a registered company. Location: Company seat or separate establishment in Berlin. The full list of conditions is under Who can apply above.
When is the Pro FIT Project Funding deadline?
Rolling; new Pro FIT guidelines apply from 1 Jan 2026, no end date stated. Monthly funding committee.
Where do I apply for Pro FIT Project Funding?
On the official page: https://www.ibb.de/de/foerderprogramme/pro-fit-projektfinanzierung.html. Applications are accepted in DE.
Do I have to pay back Pro FIT Project Funding or give up equity?
Whether it is repayable is not stated clearly; confirm with the provider. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for Pro FIT Project Funding?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 19 October 2026. Most facts read from the official source; some details need confirmation. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Berlin
- GründungsBONUS Plus50% grant of eligible costs, max EUR 50,000 (de minimis), paid as reimbursement in up to 4 instalments
- Pro FIT Early-Stage FinancingUp to 100% of eligible costs, max EUR 500,000. Phase 1 (up to EUR 200,000): 50% grant, 50% loan (usually interest-free). Phase 2: loan only. Loans up to 10 years, no collateral
- EqualStart Berlin: Women Founders' BonusOne-time payment of up to EUR 10,000 per company (de minimis)
- Musicboard Berlin Label FundingUp to EUR 5,000 per label per year for promotion and marketing of newcomer releases (max 2 measures per label and 1 per artist per year; usually a fixed amount)
- Berlin Startup StipendiumUp to EUR 2,500/month per person for 6 to 12 months (length set by incubator); incubators also provide workspace, labs, coaching and mentoring
- IBB Ventures (B# Pre-Seed and VC funds)B# pre-seed: EUR 100k to 400k in convertibles (+EUR 100k if at least one female founder); IBB Ventures seed/Series A EUR 200k to 1m, follow-ons up to EUR 4m (6m in individual cases)