Grants & funding in NRW
Grants, investment funding, Forschungszulage, GRW and much more: an overview of funding programs for companies in NRW.
North Rhine-Westphalia offers companies an extensive range of funding programs – from direct grants and subsidized loans to tax benefits. Whether start-up, digitalization or research: suitable funding is available for many projects in NRW at state, federal or EU level.
Funding & grant programs in NRW
Overview, state and regional
EFRE/JTF-Rahmenrichtlinie NRW
This funding instrument combines EU funds (ERDF/JTF) and serves as a strategic framework for promoting innovation, digitalization, environmental protection, and regional development in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Forschungszulage
Forschungszulage is a funding instrument aimed specifically at German companies that invest in research and development (R&D). Since 2020, the Forschungszulage Act (FZulG) has enabled companies to deduct up to 35% of their R&D costs from their tax burden and thus gain valuable liquidity. This applies to both in-house research projects and contract research.
Grüne Gründungen NRW
Grüne Gründungen NRW supports innovative startups in the green economy that develop environmentally friendly products, services, or processes. Funding is provided as a grant of up to 80%, with a maximum of €600,000 per project. The program focuses on prototype development in areas such as energy, mobility, resources, and biodiversity, and projects are selected through competitive calls.
GRW
GRW (Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures) promotes investments in structurally weak regions. Grants of up to 50% are available for small companies from an investment sum of 60,000 euros. Medium-sized and large companies can receive funding for investments of 2 million euros or more. Eligible projects include production facilities, tourism projects and job creation.
KMU-innovativ
The program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that are active in research. Funding is provided for high-risk, technology-oriented R&D projects in future-oriented fields such as bioeconomy, medical technology or IT security. The funding rate is between 40% and 60%, depending on the topic and company size.
ZIM
ZIM promotes technology-open research and development projects in SMEs and in cooperation with research institutions. Funding is provided as a grant of up to 45%, with maximum funding depending on the type of project and number of partners. Innovation networks are also supported.
