Are you looking to turn your research into a scalable deep tech company? If so, work with your university or research institution to prepare a grant application for exist Research Transfer.

It is important to note that you do not submit the application for Funding Phase I yourself; rather, it is submitted by the university or research institution overseeing your project. Therefore, you should contact the relevant startup network, technology transfer office, or entrepreneurship center as early as possible.

We will guide you through the entire process: from the initial assessment of your project, through the development of the project description, to the submission of the complete application materials and preparation for the technical evaluation.

The grant application for exist Research Transfer is intended to present your project in a way that is scientifically, technologically, and economically sound. A clear overarching theme is essential: the scientific basis, the technological development, the customer benefits, the business model, and the planned next steps must all fit together in a plausible way.

The focus is particularly on:

• the innovative nature of your technology
• the preliminary scientific work and the current state of development
• the problem-solving potential of your project
• the feasibility of a robust proof of concept within the project timeline
• the market and growth potential
• Customer benefits, competition, and unique selling points
• the team's composition and responsibilities
• work planning, milestones, and risks
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility
• The strategy for starting, financing, and scaling a business

In addition to technological development, economic prospects therefore also play a key role. exist Forschungstransfer is designed not only to support you in further developing the technology, but also to prepare you for market entry, financing, and growth.

A proof of principle should already be available when submitting an application. This means that the technology’s basic functionality has already been demonstrated in a verifiable manner, for example through laboratory results, experimental evidence, or a functional prototype.

The proof of principle should already be robust enough to enable the development of market-ready prototypes and a proof of concept within the proposed project timeline. The proof of concept demonstrates that the solution can function under real-world conditions, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the company’s future development.

Pure feasibility studies or the general validation of research findings are not the focus of this research transfer initiative. Other specialized programs may be better suited for these purposes.

The project description serves as the basis for the technical evaluation of your project. It should clearly demonstrate how your preliminary scientific work can lead to a technological solution that offers customer value and has commercial potential.

The project description should, in particular, answer the following questions:

• What specific problem does your technology solve?
• What prior scientific research does this project build upon?
• What makes your solution innovative, and how does it differ from the current state of the art?
• What role do intellectual property rights, know-how, software, data, or other forms of intellectual property play?
• How far has technological development come so far?
• What development goals, work packages, and milestones do you plan to achieve during Phase I of the funding period?
• How will the proof of concept be achieved?
• Who are your target audiences and potential customers?
• What benefits does your solution offer customers, and what market opportunities are you targeting?
• What competitors or alternative solutions are there?
• What skills does your team bring to the table, and how are the roles divided?
• How do you plan to prepare for financing, starting a business, and scaling up?
• How does your project contribute to sustainability, social responsibility, or relevant industrial, environmental, and social challenges?

Depending on the project, it may be helpful to provide additional documents or supporting evidence, such as information on intellectual property rights, prior scientific research, a letter of intent, pilot customers, or initial market validation.

The exist Research Transfer program consists of two consecutive funding phases. Funding Phase I supports technological development and the preparation for company formation. Funding Phase II is the follow-up phase for young technology-oriented companies that have emerged from Funding Phase I.

In Phase I, the focus is on both technological development and preparations for starting a business. Applications must be submitted through the university or research institution.

Typical topics include:

• Further development of the technology
• Prototype development
• Demonstration of functionality under real-world conditions
• Market research and customer feedback
• Recruiting pilot customers
• Business Model Development
• Preparing the investor presentation
• Preparing to Start a Business

The founding team should already be in place at the time of application and possess the necessary scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial expertise. A corporation established for the project must not have been formed prior to the start of funding in Phase I.

Funding Phase II is intended exclusively for young technology-oriented companies that have emerged from Funding Phase I. It is generally not possible to enter Funding Phase II directly without first completing Funding Phase I.

The focus is on:

• Further development of the results achieved in Phase I
• Implementation of the next technological and business steps
• Strengthening market access, financing, and scaling
• Preparing for further rounds of financing and partnerships

The application for Funding Phase II must be submitted by the newly established company. The requirements and documents to be submitted differ from those for Funding Phase I.

As part of a pilot program, particularly innovative AI-based projects funded by the exist Startup Grant may, in certain cases, be eligible for access to Phase II of the exist Research Transfer program. Specific requirements apply.

One of the requirements is that:

• AI is central and integral to the business model
• the business model would not work without AI, or would only work with significantly reduced value creation
• the AI component provides a key competitive advantage
• the team has relevant AI expertise and its own development capabilities
• AI development had already begun during the exist startup grant
• Market potential, scaling strategy, and follow-on financing are presented in a clear and understandable manner

Pure LLM wrappers without their own business logic, or projects in which AI is merely an additional feature, are generally not eligible for funding. The pilot program is not intended as a general follow-on funding option to the existing startup grant.

Applications for the exist Research Transfer Funding Phase I may generally be prepared and submitted on an ongoing basis. However, applications received are collected and evaluated on specific deadlines:

• March 31
• August 31
• November 30

If a deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline is generally extended to the next business day.

Since preparing technologically complex projects often takes several months, you should contact your startup network or technology transfer office well in advance. For Phase II applications, please contact your existing support team at Projektträger Jülich directly.

• Applications for Funding Phase I may only be submitted through universities or research institutions based in Germany.
• Applications must generally be submitted in German.
• The review and evaluation process usually takes several weeks.
• If the technical evaluation is positive, this is followed by a presentation to a jury during Funding Phase I.
• The decision on funding is made by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).
• Close coordination with the project sponsor Jülich (PtJ) is recommended, particularly for complex projects or questions regarding Funding Phase II.

The application process involves several steps. You should always plan the specific details of the application in collaboration with your university or research institution and the relevant startup network.

1. Contact the startup network
   Get in touch with your startup network, entrepreneurship center, or technology transfer office early on.

2. Check eligibility and project status
   Together, we will determine whether your project meets the requirements and which funding program is appropriate.

• Preliminary scientific research and proof of concept
• Innovative content and problem-solving potential
• Team Composition and Skills
• Market potential and economic outlook
• Intellectual Property Rights, Know-How, and IP Status
• Required documents and timeline

3. Prepare the project description and work plan
   You will work with the network to prepare the relevant documents. For Funding Phase I, these include:

• Project Description
• Work and Milestone Planning
• Financial and Material Resource Planning
• Information about the team members' personal details and qualifications
• Statement on Intellectual Property Rights
• Statement from the academic mentor
• Statement from the Founding Network
• additional documentation, if applicable, such as intellectual property rights, financial statements, or letters of intent

4. Submit your application online
   The university or research institution submits the application via easy-Online to the Project Management Agency Jülich (PtJ).

5. Formal and technical review
   The project sponsor reviews the documents for both formal and technical compliance. The evaluation focuses in particular on the team, the innovative content, the work plan, the market and competition, sustainability, and the business model.

6. Prepare for the jury presentation
   If your preliminary evaluation is positive, you will be invited to present to a jury. There, you will present your project, the technology, the market, the team, and the next steps in development.

7. Funding Decision and Grant Award Notice
   Following a positive evaluation by the jury, any conditions must be met and additional documents submitted, if necessary. Final approval of funding is granted via the official grant notification.

The complete application documents must be submitted via the „easy-Online“ electronic form system. Depending on the funding phase, different documents may be required.

For Funding Phase I, applicants must upload the easy-Online application, the project description, the work plan, and the required attachments. All documents must be submitted in their entirety and in their most current versions.

Depending on the document and the procedure, signed documents may be submitted as a scan, with a qualified electronic signature, or via the TAN procedure. Submission by mail is generally not possible.

Important: The originals of the signed documents must be kept on file at the applying university or research institution. They must be available for inspection if requested.

Jülich Research Center GmbH
Project Management Jülich (PtJ)
Berlin Office
P.O. Box 610247
10923 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 20199-411

Email: ptj-exist-forschungstransfer@ptj.de

exist Forschungstransfer works closely with universities, research institutions, and experienced startup networks to support technologically advanced startup projects. The first step always begins with your university’s or funding organization’s startup network.

These networks are here to help you, particularly with:

• an initial assessment of your project
• the assessment of innovation and problem-solving potential
• the development of the project description
• work, milestone, and financial planning
• market and business model development
• preparing the application documents
• Questions regarding intellectual property rights, IP transfer, and university procedures
• access to coaching, mentoring, and relevant partners

Our tip
The sooner you reach out to your network, the better the team can assist you in preparing your project. Thorough preparation is especially crucial for existing research transfer, as the proposal must effectively integrate scientific excellence, technological development, and economic prospects.