FAQs

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the EXIST programs

EXIST start-up grant
EXIST-Women
EXIST research transfer

EXIST start-up grant

Who is supported?
  • Scientists from public, non-profit organizations
    • non-university research institutions
    • Universities
  • University graduates and former academic staff (up to five years after graduation or departure).
  • Students who have completed at least half of their studies at the time of application, whereby the team may not consist of a majority of students.
  • Start-up teams of up to three people.
  • One of the up to three team members can also be supported with a state-recognized vocational training as a technical employee. Alternatively, one team member may have graduated more than five years ago.
  • Women who were funded via EXIST-Women up to 5 years after funding
What is supported?
  • Innovative technology-oriented start-up projects.
  • Innovative knowledge-based services based on scientific findings.
How is funding provided?
  • How is funding provided?
  • Securing personal living expenses through a scholarship:
    • Founders with a doctorate 3,000 euros/month
    • Graduates with a university degree 2,500 euros/month
    • Technical employee 2,000 euros/month
    • Students 1,000 euros/month
    • Child supplement: 150 euros/month per child
  • Material expenses:
    • up to 10,000 euros for individual start-ups (max. 30,000 euros for teams)
  • Coaching:
    • 5,000 euros
  • The maximum funding period is one year.
What do universities, research institutions and start-ups need to achieve?
  • University or research institution
    • is integrated into a start-up network.
    • provides the founder with a mentor and a workplace and guarantees free use of the infrastructure.
    • manages subsidies
  • Founders
    • receives coaching services from the start-up network.
    • Attends one-day seminar "Founder Personality"
    • presents the first results of the business plan after five months.
    • presents business plan after ten months.
    • pays taxes and social security contributions independently.
Is it possible to set up a company during the funding phase?

Yes, but it must not have already taken place at the beginning of the promotion.

Who makes the request?
  • Non-university research institutions
  • Universities
When can the application be submitted?

The application can be submitted at any time.

EXIST-Women

Target group

Does EXIST-Women only support women with a start-up idea that is based on a scientific-technical or service innovation?

No, women interested in starting a business without a concrete start-up idea or with a non-technical idea are also supported. An innovation approach can also be developed during the funding period in order to increase the viability of the start-up idea. In the long term, the start-up ideas should be geared towards later commercial activity.

Can female students also receive funding?

Yes, provided they have completed at least 50 % of their studies at the start of the funding or already have a Bachelor's degree.

Do the graduates have to be studying or have studied at the applicant institution?

No, this is not necessary.

Which women who have completed vocational training but do not have a degree are eligible for support?

Funding is available for women with a connection to the university, e.g. current or former employees, members of an existing start-up team supported by the start-up network and interested women who want to become members of a university start-up team.

I have already worked as a freelancer or in my own start-up in the past. Can I still be funded via EXIST-Women?

The funding is primarily aimed at women who are still at the beginning of their start-up journey and want to familiarize themselves with the topics of start-ups and self-employment at an early stage. Discuss with the supervising start-up network whether the qualification measures offered offer added value for you as a female founder and whether the university/research institution still has free capacity to include you in its EXIST Women application. You must not yet have founded a corporation.

Can women who are employed full-time also be supported?

Yes, the start-up qualification through EXIST-Women can also take place while working. Working women can also receive the lump sum for material resources. The optional 3-month grant to cover living expenses, on the other hand, requires that either no income is earned or that no more than 20 hours per week are spent in gainful employment.

Can prospective female founders receive the grant to secure their livelihood even if they do not yet have a concrete start-up idea?

Yes, that is possible. Ideally, the scholarship is used to work particularly intensively on the start-up idea and, for example, to prepare an application for follow-up funding. However, the scholarship can also be used independently of this.

I am interested in setting up a company but am not currently working at a university/research institution. Who can I contact?

Contact the start-up network of a university/research institution in your region and ask whether an EXIST-Women application is planned and whether places are still available.

Can a prospective female founder take part in EXIST-Women several times?

No

Is there a five-year rule for EXIST-Women analogous to the EXIST start-up grant? (In the case of the EXIST start-up grant, only one team member may have a university degree or the last employment relationship subject to social insurance contributions at a university or research institution that was more than five years ago).

There are no restrictions in this respect with EXIST-Women. The program is also open to women who have a university degree or employment history.

What needs to be considered for international female founders?

International female founders are eligible for funding if they are resident in Germany and have a valid visa that allows them to stay at the university or research institution. The participants should also be available to EXIST-Women locally in order to take part in the qualification measures. In order to benefit from the program, the participants should either have sufficient German language skills or the local start-up qualification offers must be available in English or similar.

Can female founders who are not currently in Germany and would participate digitally in the events also receive funding from EXIST-Women?

No, funding is not possible in such a case. The participants should be available for EXIST-Women on site. Predominantly digital participation is not envisaged. However, the start-up networks can also open their analog and digital offerings to female founders who do not receive EXIST-Women funding.

Compatibility with other funding/employment

I have already received funding from the EXIST start-up grant / EXIST research transfer / a state program for start-up support. Can I still apply for funding from EXIST-Women?

No, if a female founder has already claimed or is claiming other EXIST start-up funding or state funding for innovative start-ups to secure her livelihood, funding from EXIST-Women is no longer possible. If, on the other hand, a female founder has only applied for an EXIST start-up grant / EXIST research transfer or corresponding state funding which has been rejected, this does not prevent her from receiving funding from EXIST-Women. Even if, for example, a female founder has only received material and coaching funds for a start-up project as part of an accelerator program (e.g. Kickstart@FH), she can still participate in EXIST-Women.

Can I apply for further start-up funding during or after receiving support from EXIST-Women?

Yes, this is possible. An application for an EXIST start-up grant / EXIST research transfer or for a state funding program for founders can also be submitted during or after the current EXIST Women funding. The start-up qualification within the framework of EXIST Women can also be continued after another funding program has been approved. The material resources are also still available. At the same time as receiving funding under the EXIST start-up grant / EXIST research transfer and through state funding programs for innovative start-ups, however, female founders do not receive a grant to secure their livelihood.

I am currently receiving a scholarship from a foundation or have received a scholarship in the past. Can I still take part in EXIST-Women and receive material resources and the 3-month scholarship?

Past grants for talented young people are not critical, provided they do not relate to the topic of starting a business. If the founder is receiving current support for talented individuals without a connection to the start-up, she can participate in the EXIST-Women qualification program and receive material resources. She can only receive the 3-month scholarship if the current support for talented students is not a support program to secure her livelihood. The Deutschlandstipendium is compatible with the 3-month scholarship, as it is not to be classified as a support program for securing a livelihood due to its low amount.

Can the EXIST-Women scholarship be received at the same time as a BAföG grant, unemployment benefit, the Federal Employment Agency's citizen's allowance, parental allowance or a repayable student loan?

A simultaneous combination of the 3-month EXIST-Women scholarship with another funding program or a substitute benefit to finance living expenses such as BAföG, unemployment benefit, citizens' allowance from the Federal Employment Agency or parental allowance is excluded. The receipt of a fully repayable student loan, on the other hand, is unproblematic.

Can women who have previously received a start-up grant from the Federal Employment Agency also take part in EXIST-Women?

Yes, this is possible if you have not yet founded a corporation. However, the EXIST-Women grant to secure your livelihood cannot be claimed at the same time as the start-up grant.

Rights and obligations for prospective female founders

Where are the rights and obligations of participants in the EXIST-Women program defined? Is there a model scholarship holder contract?

Yes, you can find the EXIST-Women scholarship holder contract, which the participants conclude with the supervising institution, on our website under DOWNLOADS. The institutions can adapt the contract for themselves.

Is participation in the EXIST-Women qualification measures mandatory for female founders?

The prospective female founders must take part in the "Seminar Gründerin". If possible, they should also take part in the other centrally offered events for female founders, but this is not mandatory. In addition, the prospective female founders are expected to regularly attend the events of the local start-up network that are relevant to them and to attend appointments for individual advice from the start-up network and meetings with the mentor.

Do I have to pay back the grant if I don't set up a company?

No. EXIST-Women is a measure to sensitize and qualify women for starting a business. There is no obligation to start a business.

When can I set up a corporation as an EXIST-Women scholarship holder?

Before joining the EXIST-Women project of the academic institution as a scholarship holder (= conclusion of the scholarship holder contract), you must not have founded a corporation. A start-up is possible from the time the scholarship holder joins the EXIST-Women project. However, it should be borne in mind that various follow-up grants, such as the EXIST start-up grant or EXIST research transfer, can no longer be applied for as soon as a corporation has been founded. Corporations with the sole purpose of asset management or a GbR do not constitute an obstacle to funding. It is possible to apply for the 3-month EXIST Women's Grant to cover living expenses regardless of whether or not a company has already been founded.

Do the prospective female founders have to submit a business plan at the end of the funding period?

No, but it is recommended to develop important key points of the business model, validate the start-up idea and define a roadmap for the next steps during the funding period. At the end of the funding period, the founder creates a one-pager in which the start-up idea is presented briefly and concisely.

Is the scholarship net or gross?

Gross. The participant does not enter into an employment relationship with the scholarship holder contract, so income tax, social security contributions etc. from the scholarship must be paid independently. It is advisable to consult a tax consultancy firm as early as possible.

As an EXIST-Women participant, may I refer to the EXIST-Women funding on my website and use the funding logos?

Yes, an EXIST-Women participant may refer to the funding on her website and use the funding logos. They should explicitly mention EXIST-Women and state the university or the name of the EXIST-Women university project. Please also note the regulations on publications in the grant notification (ancillary provisions and notes).

Consulting & Coaching

Our university/research institution does not yet offer any advisory and qualification measures specifically for female founders. Can we still participate in EXIST-Women?

The specific advisory and qualification services may still be under development. However, they must be available to female founders by the start of the term at the latest.

Our university/research institution already offers consulting and qualification measures specifically for female founders. Is it absolutely necessary to set up additional new programs?

No, but the programs specific to female founders should be further developed and expanded.

What is covered by the advisory and qualification measures specially designed for female founders?

The measures specific to female founders should be tailored to the needs of prospective female founders (possibly conduct a survey in advance), in particular address topics that are specifically relevant to female founders (e.g. founding and family, business models for social impact start-ups, fault tolerance, dealing with experiences of discrimination, etc.) and also include very early phases of start-up support (raising awareness of start-ups, developing start-up ideas, promoting creativity and inventiveness).

Measures that deal with "general" start-up topics but are offered in a format that is specifically tailored to female founders (e.g. "Approaching investors for female founders", "Pitch training for female founders" etc.) are also conceivable. The measures can be offered in a safe space for women only or as an open format for men and women. In addition to qualification offers, soft skills training, networking events or experience reports from role models are also possible, for example.

In contrast, the individual support provided to female founders by the network as part of the funding is not a measure specific to female founders, but is a prerequisite anyway. In principle, start-up networks should target their services at women in particular, include female founders as role models in their services and make female founders more visible in their public relations work.

Do the universities/research institutions have to offer all of the above-mentioned measures specifically designed for female founders? How many measures must each institution offer?

The applicant organization itself decides which and how many measures it includes in its application. The advisory and qualification measures must be tailored to the local female founders. You can find good practice examples of support for female founders here here. The range of measures specific to female founders plays an important role in the evaluation of applications.

Can offers specific to female founders also be offered in cooperation with other universities/research institutions or third parties?

Yes, but it should be clear what the applicant institution's own contribution to the offer is. In principle, networking between different institutions and with external partners is desirable.

Are the start-up-specific advice and qualification measures reserved for women who are supported by EXIST-Women? Are only women allowed to participate?

If there are enough places available, the universities/research institutions should also open the start-up-specific advice and qualification measures to non-scholarship holders. Depending on whether the institution wishes to offer the measure in a closed safe space or not, the participation of men interested in founding a company is also conceivable (e.g. event on the compatibility of family and founding a company).

Can one mentor support several prospective female founders?

Yes, if there is sufficient time available for supervision.

How can we improve the situation of female founders at our university and participate in EXIST-Women despite very limited resources?

In order to establish permanent measures and structures for female founders at your university even with limited financial and personnel resources, you can use the following options, for example: content-related cooperation with other universities (Region+), joint events online/presence, offer your own events for partners (online/presence), content-related cooperation with external partners (e.g. IHK), good practice exchange of female founder support (good practice see EXIST-Women page), record events, formats co-organized by the participants.

What is the task of the start-up network and the accompanying qualified university employees with a start-up background in the project? Does this task have to be taken on by a woman?

The university employee takes over the project management for the entire project, i.e. for all women from the university/research institution included in the cohort. The start-up network provides each prospective female founder with a suitable mentor with start-up experience, defines her individual roadmap with milestones for the duration of the project together with the prospective female founder (with the involvement of the mentor if necessary): identification or validation of the start-up idea, participation in internal and external support and training measures, networking, coaching, business model development, search for co-founders, follow-up financing, next steps after funding.

What is the mentor's role in the project?

The mentor with start-up experience takes over the entrepreneurial support of the founder during the funding period. She shares her own entrepreneurial experience, is available to the founder for regular meetings and supports her in developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Conditions for application/implementation

Can an individual application also be submitted for a female founder?

No, one application for 5-10 female founders can be submitted per university/research institution per funding round.

Can an institution submit several applications?

No, in each application round only one application per institution is possible for 5-10 (in individual cases 20) female founders.

Do the women to be supported have to be known by name when the application is submitted?

No, if an application is made for 5-10 participants, the prospective female founders can also be nominated later. In order to enable the prospective female founders to receive individual support for as long as possible, early selection is advantageous. As a rule, the women and their mentors should therefore be nominated within 2 months, but no later than 4 months after the start of the program. Only in justified individual cases is a subsequent appointment possible after 6 months. Please apply for graduate scholarships for NN founders.

Can several universities/research institutions also submit a joint application?

An application is only ever submitted by one institution. However, it is possible for several institutions in a region to jointly organize support for female founders and for the applying institution to include female founders from the partner institutions in its application. The support allowance is only granted to the applying institution.

Can an organization submit an application for more than 10 women?

As a rule, applications with 5-10 female founders are envisaged. Funding for applications with up to 20 female founders is only possible in duly justified individual cases if the selection process has already been completed at the time of application and the participants are named with the application (enclose Annex 5).

Our institution originally applied for a certain number of participants for EXIST-Women. Is it possible to subsequently increase the number of participants?

If there are sufficient remaining funds in the project, additional participants can be financed from these funds within 6 months of the start of the project. Please send your support tandem an informal application by e-mail with the updated Annex 5. If the project does not have sufficient remaining funds, the number of participants cannot be increased.

If two female founders from the same team receive funding, do both founders also receive the lump sum for material resources?

Yes, both receive funding in kind. Whether there is already a team does not initially play a role in the funding.

Does the university/research institution have to support the prospective female founders over a period of 12 months, or can the support be provided in a shorter intensive phase? Can the prospective female founders also participate in EXIST Women funding for less than 12 months?

The EXIST-Women consulting and qualification programme with centralized and decentralized measures is designed for 12 months, and the prospective female founders should ideally complete the entire programme. In the first round of EXIST-Women applications, many of the applicant institutions still have to establish suitable structures and processes, which means that individual support can last less than 12 months. It is possible to bundle the decentralized offers in a shorter intensive phase. Outside of the intensive phase, the female founders continue to receive individual support from the start-up network.

At what point can the scholarship be used to cover living expenses?

The 3-month EXIST-Women scholarship can be awarded for any period within the 12-month project period in which the requirements for receiving the scholarship are met. As a rule, the scholarship should be used for three consecutive months. Outside of the period in which the scholarship is actually received, the requirements for receiving the scholarship do not have to be met.

Is it possible to replace a funded founder who leaves the project with another founder during the project period?

No, if expenses have already been incurred for the first founder in the project, this is not possible.

How much is the scholarship for a participant who already has a vocational qualification or a Bachelor's or Master's degree and is currently studying? How much is the scholarship for a doctoral student?

The amount of the personal scholarship for a female student is 1,000 euros per month, regardless of whether or not she already has a previous professional or academic qualification. This also applies to female students on sabbatical. However, participants who already have a degree and are currently studying for a doctorate or part-time degree are classified as graduates under EXIST-Women (grant amount: €2,500/month).

Our participants have higher scholarship entitlements or higher child allowances than originally applied for. Is it possible to increase the project funds?

Please use all the funds available in the project first. As soon as these funds have been used up, you can submit an application for an increase (from a difference of approx. € 500) to the respective contact persons of your own EXIST-Women project at PTJ, stating your reasons. There is no binding entitlement to a top-up, it is a case-by-case assessment. If only higher child allowances are available, an informal application is sufficient. If you are entitled to a higher grant, please submit an application via Easy-Online using the Profi-Pin once we have given our general approval.

The funding is intended to increase the number of female founders at the institution. Are there any numerical targets for this?

No, but the status before and after the start of funding is recorded and used for progress monitoring of the overall program.

What can the €20,000 support allowance be used for?

The funds can be used for fees, production of communication materials/printing costs, rent for event rooms, student assistants, awarding of contracts or similar. Only the total lump sum of the support allowance is stated in the VN. The university confirms to the project sponsor that the lump sum will be used to set up and implement the application process and to establish and implement specific qualification formats to empower women in the pre-start-up phase.

What can the €2,000 per participant in kind be used for?

Together with the prospective founder, the start-up network (with the involvement of the mentor if necessary) defines their individual roadmap with milestones for the duration of the project and plans the use of material resources accordingly. First of all, it should be ensured that sufficient funds are available for participation fees and other project-specific expenses for consulting services, coaching and travel (e.g. travel expenses for participation in the mandatory seminar for female founders).

If this is guaranteed, other expenses for the preparation of the foundation (e.g. purchase of consumables, awarding of contracts, equipment) can also be made via the material funds.

How are the funds in kind paid out to the participant?

The expenditure of material resources is carried out by the scientific institution. After prior consultation, the founder should also be permitted to disburse costs.

Alternatively, the academic institution can pay the full amount of the material funds to the participant as a lump sum after the scholarship agreement has been concluded. During the course of the project, the participant then submits the receipts for the expenses financed from the material funds to the university. The university checks whether the expenses are related to the start-up qualification and preparation and keeps the receipts.

If no scholarship holder contract was concluded or if funds in kind were not used or not used for the intended purpose during the term of the overall project, these funds must be repaid to the Federal Treasury.

Can material resources be used for a patent application?

Consulting or search costs for intellectual property rights can be financed from material resources. If the patent is applied for in the name of the university, direct patent costs can also be financed from the material funds. However, applications for intellectual property rights for private individuals or the established company are not eligible for funding.

What do we need to bear in mind in order to transfer devices purchased from the material funds to the participant?

Low-value assets can continue to be made available and transferred to the founder after the funding has ended. Equipment procured from EXIST funding above the inventory limit (usually € 800) can be transferred to the start-up company (corporation or sole proprietorship) that has emerged from the funding on a de minimis basis.

At what point is a degree recognized?

A degree (Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom, doctorate) can be recognized for EXIST-Women if the issuing university makes a legally binding declaration that all the work required to obtain the degree has been completed. This can take various forms (certificate, confirmation from the examination office). If a participant is entitled to the higher scholarship after completing a degree / doctorate, this will be granted from the month following graduation.

Can the project sponsor refuse to support individual female founders?

No, the project sponsor decides on the overall application of the institution and not on individual female founders to be funded. The applicant institution carries out the selection process and is responsible for ensuring that the selected applicants meet the admission requirements.

How does the application and selection process work at the applicant institution?

The applicant institution informs the target group as widely as possible within its own organization and, if necessary, beyond about the planned application to EXIST-Women (public announcement). It advises potential female applicants on the funding program and invites them to apply. The institution appoints the committee for the transparent selection process, formulates the selection criteria and documents the selection process. The selection of the female founders to be funded can also take place after the start of the program and should ideally be completed within 2 months of the start of the program (see above).

What infrastructure must the applicant university/research institution make available to female founders on site?

The institutions must provide the founders with workstations free of charge (e.g. in start-up centers, libraries, etc.) and allow them to use the workshops, laboratories, computer centers and/or other facilities and resources for development work free of charge during and outside working hours for the duration of the funding. There is no entitlement to equipment such as a laptop or similar.

Is EXIST-Women financed by the ESF?

No, not in the pilot phase starting in 2023. ESF funding is planned for the subsequent rounds.

EXIST research transfer

What is the aim of funding phase I?

The aim of the first funding phase of EXIST Transfer of Research is to carry out development work to prove technical feasibility, develop prototypes, draw up the business plan and finally found the company.

Who is funded in funding phase I?

Funding is available for research teams at universities and non-university research institutions (maximum of three scientists and technical assistants) and one person with business management expertise.

How is funding provided in funding phase I?

EXIST Transfer of Research can be used to finance personnel expenses/costs for a maximum of four staff positions as well as material expenses/costs. Material expenses/costs include, for example, commodities, consumables, capital goods, 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 of the research institutions of the FhG, HGF, Max Planck Society and Leibniz Association, which are jointly funded by the federal and state governments, can be funded up to 90 %, those of 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 may be granted with the express approval of the expert jury.

In addition, the "Start-up team" seminar, which has proven its worth in the EXIST start-up grant program, is also held for EXIST research transfer projects.

Further information is available at Application for funding phase I.

What is the aim of funding phase II?

The object of the funding is further development work, measures to launch business activities in the newly founded technology company and the creation of the conditions for external corporate financing.

Who will be funded in funding phase II?

Applicants are small technology-oriented corporations with a capital contribution of at least €25,000 that were founded during funding phase I, whereby the main know-how providers from funding phase I contribute their knowledge and manpower to the new company and are represented by at least one person on the management board. 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 EUR 180,000, but no more than 75 percent of the specific costs of the project, can be awarded.

As a prerequisite for funding, the company provides its own funds and, if necessary, equity capital in a ratio of 1:3 (up to EUR 60,000). Funding phase II should generally not exceed a period of 18 months.

Further information is available at Application for funding phase II.

Before application (funding phase I)

Who at my university or research institution will support me with the application? Who should be involved?
  • The local start-up network is the central point of contact for the initial contact. This is where the initial consultation and support with the formal application process takes place.
  • However, the applicant is always the university or research institution, i.e. the application must usually be signed with legally binding effect by the administration.
  • In addition, the founding team should be advised by a mentor during the term of the program. This person is an experienced university lecturer or scientist (at least a working group leader) who can provide specialist support for further development based on their scientific expertise. However, the mentor cannot be appointed as project leader.
  • Additional partners from industry or support from business angels are expressly welcomed.
How long does it take to process the application? When will I be informed whether my project will be funded or not? When can my project start?
  • Project applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, but they are collected by August 31, November 30 and March 31 and then processed further.
  • After an assessment (approx. 2 months), the founding team is invited to give a presentation to a jury of experts in the event of a funding recommendation. The result will then be announced by Project Management Jülich at short notice. The jury meetings take place approx. 3 months after the above-mentioned dates.
  • Following the evaluation process, jury requirements are communicated, the administrative review of the requested personnel and material resources is completed and the grant notification is issued. This process can take up to 2 months. The process may be additionally delayed at the turn of the year (cash deadline, release of new budget funds) or in the event of jury conditions. A start is usually possible 5 - 6 months after the above-mentioned collection dates.
  • A claim to funding exists after receipt of the grant notification and not with the positive vote of the jury. Please note that binding orders and contracts may only be placed after the start of the project. Furthermore, the approval of the project management organization Jülich must be obtained before filling positions that were still specified as NN in the application.
  • Note: Contact the responsible purchasing officer in good time, as specific rules, deadlines and regulations must be observed in the local universities and research institutions when awarding contracts and making purchases.
Can I submit the idea paper in advance to check the basic eligibility for funding or do I even have to submit a preliminary application?

Support with the application is provided by the local start-up network of the university/research institution (transfer office, start-up office, Center for Entrepreneurship, etc.). The employees of the start-up network have usually already accompanied applications and are able to assess the basic suitability for the funding program. If the employees of the start-up network are still unsure, a preliminary inquiry of max. 2 pages can be submitted via the network. However, this should not be a superficial general overview, but should address the questions specifically. A preliminary inquiry is not binding and will not be included in the subsequent evaluation. The answer should also be regarded as non-binding.

Is my life science start-up project better suited to EXIST Forschungstransfer or GO-Bio next?

The GO-Bio next funding guideline has delimitation criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for EXIST research transfer funding. Important criteria are the required development time and the total funding requirement. The total funding requested for EXIST Transfer of Research Phase I is usually less than € 2.5 million. The development period in funding phase I should not significantly exceed 2.5 years.

If you have a start-up project that could be suitable for EXIST Transfer of Research and GO-Bio next, please contact the project management organization before submitting an application.

How can I contact the EXIST team if I have further questions?

Inquiries can be made via the EXIST hotline. Inquiries about EXIST Transfer of Research can be sent by e-mail to ptj-exist-forschungstransfer@fz-juelich.de. For a personal conversation, you can reach the EXIST team on 030/20199-411. We ask for your understanding that the hotline is sometimes not always staffed, as the employees also have to attend other appointments in their day-to-day business. However, it is not usually necessary to make an appointment in advance.

Things to know about submitting an application (funding phase I)

Is it possible to submit an application in another language, e.g. in English?

No, this is generally not possible. The official language is German (see § 23 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG).

Does the length of 25 pages in the ideas paper have to be adhered to?
  • The scope should be strictly adhered to. However, it is permissible to present the proof of principle separately on three pages (e.g. measurement curves, photos of laboratory setups, etc.).
  • Tables of contents, source lists or external documents (e.g. LOI from partners or potential pilot customers) are not counted as part of the 25 pages.
Can the application also be submitted by several institutions?

No, collaborative projects cannot be implemented in the EXIST program. If the founding team is made up of people from several institutions, the team should choose one institution.

Things to know about duration, personnel and material resources (funding phase I)

Which projects can be funded for a period of more than 18 months?

Particularly time-consuming and highly innovative development projects can be funded for up to 36 months in individual cases. However, this requires the express approval of the expert jury. Examples include projects with high approval requirements or particularly long development periods, e.g. in the fields of biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics or energy technologies.

What falls under "material resources"
  • The material resources include all expenses and costs for purchases, student assistants, rents, services, coaching, patents, etc. The personnel funds for the start-up team and the incentive lump sum for the start-up network are not included.
  • The EXST research transfer guideline specifies a material funding framework of € 250 thousand. This can be exceeded in exceptional cases if a particularly high requirement can be demonstrated, in particular for the acquisition of special equipment without which the project would not be feasible.
Is it possible to do a doctorate parallel to EXIST Transfer of Research?

If possible, doctorates should be completed by the start of the project. A doctoral certificate can be submitted later if necessary. However, it is not advisable to complete a doctorate at the same time as the start-up project in order to avoid a double burden and possible conflicts of interest (e.g. in the case of IP transfer).

During the term (funding phase I)

Why do I also need a coach and how do I find one?
  • A coach is a start-up consultant who advises the research team on all aspects of start-up preparation, the selection of a suitable product and service offering, the marketing strategy and company financing. When selecting a coach, it is essential to ask for references (own practical start-up experience). The decisive factor for hiring a coach is ultimately the "personal chemistry", as a coach usually accompanies the research team or the growing start-up team as a person of trust for many months.
  • In many cases, however, one coach cannot cover all aspects. It is therefore also permissible to select more than one coach. For this purpose, a coaching plan is drawn up in which the advisors and their services (in days) are specifically named. This should also take into account further qualification measures for entrepreneurial thinking and action based on the individual requirements of the start-up team. The coaching plan must be agreed with Project Management Jülich.
  • In addition to being referred by the local start-up network, a suitable coach can also be sought independently of the university through the research or start-up team's own initiative. Other start-ups often also share their experiences.
Can I set up my company during the funding period?

The company may already be founded during the project term in funding phase I. Business activities can commence and turnover can be generated. It should be noted that a regulation on secondary employment must be agreed with the university or research institution or that the weekly working hours in the funded project must be reduced. The economic activity of the established company must be strictly separated from the funded EXIST research transfer project at the university/research institution in terms of income and all costs.

How does the IP transfer work?
  • The property rights to inventions that have arisen from previous research or from the results of funding phase I and form the basis of the planned company must be available to the company for commercial exploitation without restrictions. For this purpose, a corresponding contractual arrangement must be made between the university or research institution and the start-up company, e.g. within the framework of a license, purchase or participation agreement. This is a prerequisite for funding phase II.
  • The first step is to submit an annex for the subsequent IP transfer, including a memorandum of understanding (letter of intent) with the application documents. This should already contain detailed information on the contractual conditions. This could include, for example, statements on the amount of the license fees and the date from which payments are to be made. The start-up network and/or mentor should arrange contact with the relevant departments at the university or research institution.
  • 12 months after the start of the term, a term sheet or option agreement must be submitted in which the university or research institution gives the founding team the opportunity to complete the transfer under specified conditions, even if the company has not yet been founded.
  • The IP transfer should be concluded with a final contractual agreement when the application for funding phase II is submitted, at the latest with the submission of the proof of use.
Can the purchased devices continue to be used in the company after the end of the project?
  • The prototypes and investments belong to the university or research institution. The intention of the funding program is that these can continue to be used or acquired by the start-up company even after the end of the funding period. By the end of funding phase I, this declaration of intent is to be converted into a contractual agreement between the start-up company and the university or research institution.
  • The use of the devices / prototypes could, for example, be made possible via a rental agreement (also with a later purchase option), as a permanent loan, transfer at residual value or similar. Depending on the type of devices / prototypes, a specific agreement must be made.
  • The contractual arrangement must be in line with market practice and should be conducive to the sustainable commercial development of the company. Standard market conditions may be deviated from in favor of the founding company if the university/research institution grants the difference below the standard market conditions as "de minimis" aid. (Legal basis for de minimis aid, Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 of the EU Commission of December 18, 2013; declaration for de minimis aid and certificate for de minimis aid).
  • If the university generates income from the sale of prototypes or investments, the proceeds are to be reimbursed to the BMWE in accordance with the funding quota.

Funding phase II

What requirements must be met in funding phase II?
  • Applications for funding phase II can be submitted to Project Management Jülich approx. 6 months before the end of funding phase I. Please consult the relevant contact persons at Project Management Jülich in good time to clarify the exact modalities. Please also allow sufficient time for processing and reviewing the applications.
  • The main prerequisites for funding in funding phase II are proof of concept and a convincing business plan including a coherent financing concept.
  • Funding phase I must result in the establishment of a company, which must be completed before funding phase II is approved. The legal form chosen must be a corporation with share capital of at least €25,000.
Who submits the application for funding phase II

The application is submitted by the established company. If the formation of the corporation has not yet been completed, the application can be submitted by the company in formation (i. G) or in planning (i. Pl.). Before the start of funding phase II, the formation must be completed (entry in the commercial register) and proof of the necessary equity capital must be provided.

Can I apply directly for funding phase II without going through funding phase I?
  • No, unfortunately this is not possible. The guidelines stipulate that only companies or companies in the process of being founded that have successfully completed funding phase I may apply.
  • An exception has been made for companies that have successfully completed the EXIST start-up grant with a focus on AI ("model project"). However, this only applies to start-up teams that were awarded the start-up grant after publication of the guideline dated 11.04.2023.