EXIST Transfer of Research

Supports outstanding, research-driven projects with a "proof of principle" that require further, cost-intensive development.

For Berlins Startup Teams

With the Berliner Startup Stipendium, Science & Startups supports founders planning to implement their innovative, knowledge-driven, science- and/or technology-based business ideas in a team and develop solutions for the pressing challenges of our time within the following clusters

  1. Sustainability x Society – Improving the Way We Live Together
  2. Healthcare x Prevention – Responding to Today’s Health Challenges
  3. Technologies x Resources – Transforming Tech for a Green Tomorrow

To foster exchange and strengthen the innovative power of our startups in these clusters, we bundle access to specific expertise, know-how, technology supported by enriching event formats and a strong alumni network.

  • You have an idea that’s a fit?
  • Your research aligns with one of the clusters ́ focus areas?
  • Your idea makes the world a better place when turned into a product or service?

Science & Startups will help you along your journey!

Phase
Early Startup Phase
Next Aplication Date
not yet published
Grant
Six to twelve-month stipend of € 2,200

The Accelerator for AI Startups

The K.I.E.Z. Accelerator has been designed to support science-based AI startups that have completed their pre-seed phase. The company must already be incorporated and in the process towards market launch, production, and sales set-up.

Starting from providing you office space at the Merantix AI Campus Berlin, we are also offering CEO mentoring, cloud credits, expert workshops, connections, and intros to investors. But that’s not all. We focus on your individual growth. If you need help with your marketing, sales, finance or team management, we are there to support. There is almost nothing that we cannot do.

Phase
Incorporated AI Startups
Next Aplication Date
April 1st & October 1st each year
Grant
No direct scholarship, but paid services and up to 15.000€ de-minimis funding

Female Founder Support

With EXIST-Women by Science & Startups, a total of 30 women* interested in or inclined towards founding businesses have the opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with business creation and self-employment. The program is aimed at graduates, scientists, students, and women* with professional qualifications who want to found businesses either solo or in teams.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has launched this new funding program to increase the proportion of female founders. The EXIST Women pilot project aims to support women* in developing business ideas to achieve greater diversity in startups and increase the quota of female founders.

This is a 10-month mentoring program that includes coaching, mentoring, qualification, and networking, along with individual support from mentors, a peer-learning program and material resources worth €2,000 per person, and a three-month scholarship of €2,500 for graduates (plus €150 for each child).

The program is divided into 3 phases:
  1. Training and workshops, mentor matching, scholarship
  2. Business modelling, mentoring, mindset training
  3. Possible follow-up financing, individual coaching, mentoring

Additionally: Accompanying events and activities, workspace in our incubators, a peer-learning program with other participants, as well as individual coaching and intensive startup consulting in the incubator.

The program starts on 03/01/2025 and runs until 11/30/2025. Scholarship payments are made for 3 months, and the material resources allowance is paid as a one-time payment. Compliance with the funding conditions is required (see below).

This is a project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to significantly increase the current quota of female founders.

Applications are CURRENTLY possible until 01/31/2025

Application process:
  1. 20-minute consultation with one of our startup consultants. Book an appointment!
  2. Receipt of application form from startup consultant and submission by 01/31/2025 at the latest
  3. 5-10 minute pitch and Q&A (02/10-12/2025)
  4. Acceptance into the scholarship program (02/14/2025)

Conditions for receiving a scholarship are:
  • You have no income or work maximum 20 hours/week: This condition only applies to receiving the three-month scholarship.
  • Simultaneous funding through a scholarship with the startup grant from the employment agency is not possible.
  • You have not previously completed an EXIST Startup Scholarship, Berlin Startup Scholarship, or similar startup funding programs.
  • You have not founded a company at the time of application.
The scholarship amount depends on your qualification level and is distributed as follows:
  • Students (minimum bachelor's degree or 50% of studies completed): €1,000
  • Women* with completed vocational training: €2,000
  • Graduates with university degree: €2,500
  • Women* with doctorate: €3,000

Please also check all other funding conditions on the funding provider's website:

We look forward to your application!

Phase
Qualification Phase
Next Aplication Date
tbd
Grant
Three-month stipend of up to € 3,000

Starting a business from science

The EXIST Startup Grant supports researchers, alumni and students before and at the start of their company start-up. Start-up projects that originate at the university are supported, particularly in the creation of a viable business plan and the development of marketable products/services. The prerequisite is that the planned business idea is an innovative, technology-oriented or knowledge-based product with significant unique selling points and good prospects of economic success.
Phase
Pre-Seed
Next Aplication Date
at the beginning of each month
Grant
Twelve-month stipend of € 2,500

Promotion of research-based high-tech startups

EXIST Transfer of Research is a funding program initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The program aims to support outstanding research-oriented startup projects that have demonstrated a proof of principle (e.g., a functional laboratory demonstrator) and require further high-risk and cost-intensive development to bring their innovations to market readiness.

Program Objectives
  • Technology Transfer: Facilitate the transformation of innovative research results into commercially viable products and services.
  • Startup Support: Provide comprehensive assistance to research teams in establishing successful businesses based on their scientific findings.
  • Economic Growth: Foster innovation and entrepreneurship to contribute to economic development and competitiveness in Germany.
Program Structure

EXIST Transfer of Research  is structured into two sequential funding phases:

Phase I: Technical and Business Development
  • Objective: Advance research results with startup potential by developing prototypes and preparing for business formation.
  • Duration: Up to 36 months.
  • Funding:
    • Non-repayable grants covering personnel expenses for up to 4 full-time positions.
    • Up to €250,000 for material resources, including equipment, consumables, and external services.
  • Activities:
    • Develop market-ready prototypes or demonstrators.
    • Address technical questions related to product and process implementation.
    • Formulate a comprehensive business plan.
    • Prepare for company formation, including market analysis and strategy development.
Phase II: Business Launch and Market Entry
  • Objective: Continue development work, initiate business operations, and prepare for external financing.
  • Duration: Up to 18 months.
  • Funding:
    • Non-repayable grants covering project-related costs.
    • Up to €180,000 for project expenses, but at most 75% of the project-specific costs.
  • Activities:
    • Finalize product development and refine technology.
    • Start marketing and sales activities.
    • Secure external funding from investors or financial institutions.
    • Expand business operations and enter the market.
Criteria for eligibility for funding:
  • Applicants: research teams from German universities and research institutions who wish to establish a startup.
  • Prerequisites:
    • Proof of the fundamental viability of the project.
    • The development work is high-risk and cost-intensive.
    • Commitment to commercialize the research results by founding a startup.
Application process with the support of Science & Startups:
  • Preparation of a detailed project proposal outlining the technological innovation, development plan and business strategy.
  • Applications for funding phase I are submitted by one of Berlin's leading universities
Application Deadlines and Start Dates
  • Phase I Applications:
    • Deadlines: March 31, August 31, and November 30 each year.
    • Earliest Start Date: Approximately 6 months after application submission.
  • Phase II Applications:
    • Should be submitted 6 months before the end of Phase I or within 6 months after its completion.
Phase
Startup Phase
Next Aplication Date
Mar 31st, Aug 31st & Nov 30th
Grant
Up to 36 months, 4 full-time staff &
€250,000 material expenses

Supporting high-potential life sciences startups from research to market

GO-Bio Next is a funding initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to support promising, research-oriented start-up projects in the field of life sciences. The programme is aimed at high-risk, cost-intensive projects with proven “proof of principle” and high commercialization potential, which are brought to market maturity through structured funding.

Program Objectives
  • Technology Transfer: Enable the development of cutting-edge research in the life sciences into marketable products and services.
  • Startup Support: Provide robust support to research teams aiming to launch sustainable businesses based on scientific innovation.
  • Economic Growth: Promote scientific breakthroughs that contribute to economic growth, innovation, and Germany's global competitiveness.
Program Structure

GO-Bio Next  is structured into two sequential funding phases:

Phase I: Technical and Business Development
  • Objective: Advance research results with startup potential by developing prototypes and preparing for business formation.
  • Duration: More than 30 months.
  • Funding:
    • Non-repayable grants covering personnel expenses for more than  4 full-time positions.
    • Up to €2.500,000 for material resources, including equipment, consumables, and external services.
  • Activities:
    • Develop functional prototypes or demonstrators.
    • Address technical and regulatory requirements for commercialization.
    • Create a comprehensive business plan and prepare for company formation.
Phase II: Business Launch and Market Entry
  • Objective: Support further development, business operations, and market entry.
  • Duration: Up to 36 months.
  • Funding:
    • Non-repayable grants covering project-related costs.
    • Private co-financing is required to secure this phase of funding.
  • Activities:
    • Finalize product development and refine technology.
    • Start marketing and sales activities.
    • Secure external funding from investors or financial institutions.
    • Expand business operations and enter the market.
Criteria for eligibility for funding:
  • Applicants: research teams from German universities and research institutions who wish to establish a startup.
  • Prerequisites:
    • Proof of the fundamental viability of the project.
    • The project addresses a major need in life sciences and requires public funding due to high risk and technological immaturity.
    • Commitment to commercialize the research results by founding a startup.
Application process with the support of Science & Startups:
  • Preparation of a detailed project proposal outlining the technological innovation, development plan and business strategy.
  • Applications for funding phase I are submitted by one of Berlin's leading universities
Application Deadlines and Start Dates
  • Application Deadlines: March 15  and September 15.
  • Earliest Start Date: 10 months after application.
Phase
Startup Phase
Next Aplication Date
March 15th & September 15th
Grant
€2.5M+ funding over 30 months, 4+ full-time staff & material expenses

Validation of AI-based ideas

Whether you have done research on AI and are considering turning your findings into a product, or you have an idea to develop a startup with AI as its core business, the Bridge-to-Market Program supports you in evaluating if founding a company is the right path for you. The program focuses primarily on product and market validations as well as evaluating the technical feasibility of scientific AI models and data. In addition, other reviews, such as legal validations in terms of data protection, are also conceivable.
Phase
Early Stage; Validation
Next Aplication Date
Until February 10, 2025 - 11 am CET
Grant
Up to €3,000/month/person

FAQ regarding

Here you'll find frequently asked questions regarding the program.

EXIST Transfer of Research

What is the aim of funding phase I?
  • The aim of the first funding phase of EXIST research transfer is to carry out development work to demonstrate technical feasibility, develop prototypes, draw up the business plan and finally establish the company.
Who will be funded in funding phase I?
  • Research teams at universities and non-university research institutions (maximum three scientists and technical assistants) and one person with business management skills will be funded.
How is funding provided in funding phase I?
  • EXIST research transfer can finance personnel expenses/costs for a maximum of four staff positions as well as material expenses/costs. Material expenses/costs include, for example, everyday items, consumables, capital goods, intellectual property rights, market research as well as the awarding of contracts and coaching measures. Student assistants can also be financed. The expenses/costs for student assistants and material expenses/costs are generally eligible for funding up to a total of €250,000.
  • Projects by the research institutions of the FhG, HGF, Max Planck Society and Leibniz Association, which are jointly funded by the federal and state governments, can receive up to 90% funding, and by universities and other research institutions up to 100%. The funding period is generally up to 18 months. For highly innovative and demonstrably particularly time-consuming development projects, a funding period of up to 36 months can be granted with the express consent of the expert jury.
  • In addition, the "Start-up Team" seminar, which has proven successful in the EXIST Start-up Grant program, is also held for EXIST research transfer projects.
  • Further information is available under Application for Funding Phase I.
What is the aim of funding phase II?
  • The funding is intended for further development work, measures to start business activities in the newly founded technology company and the creation of the conditions for external company financing.
Who will receive funding in funding phase II?
  • Applicants are small technology-oriented companies with a share capital of at least €25,000 that were founded during funding phase I, with the key know-how holders from funding phase I contributing their knowledge and labor to the new company and being represented by at least one person in the management.
  • Significantly more than 50% of the shares must be owned by the founders working in the company.
How is funding provided in funding phase II?
  • In funding phase II, a non-repayable grant of up to 180,000 euros, but no more than 75 percent of the specific costs of the project, can be awarded.
  • As a prerequisite for funding, the company must provide its own funds and, if necessary, equity capital in a ratio of 1:3 (up to 60,000 euros). Funding phase II should generally not exceed a period of 18 months.
  • For more information, see Application for funding phase II.
Can a startup team apply for EXIST Transfer of Research (Phase I) if a company (UG, GmbH or AG) has already been founded?

No, in order to be able to apply for the EXIST Transfer of Research program, a corporation such as a UG, GmbH or AG must not yet have been founded. The program is aimed exclusively at projects that are still in the pre-foundation phase.

How many full-time positions can be funded within the framework of EXIST Transfer of Research (Phase I)?

Up to four full-time positions can be funded as part of the EXIST Transfer of Research (Phase I): three positions for research assistants and one position for a business administration assistant.

What qualifications do the startup team members have to demonstrate in order to receive funding?

The team members must have at least a Master's or diploma degree. Educational qualifications acquired outside Germany must be recognized in Germany.

Can the startup team submits the application for EXIST Transfer of Research (Phase 1) independently?

The startup team cannot submit the application independently. The application must be submitted by a university on behalf of the startup team, in collaboration with a startup network (Science & Startups). Additionally, a mentor from the university must accompany and support the project.

Can external startup teams apply for funding at Berlin's universities, even if they have not studied there?

Yes, external startup teams can apply for funding at Berlin's universities, even without having studied there. The key requirement is a connection to the university, such as collaborating with university academics. Science & Startups assists in finding suitable mentors within the university and supports the application process.