Frontrunner 2026

Funding is provided for R&D projects in the research category of experimental development (Technology Readiness Levels 5 to 8).

Frontrunner projects usually bring exploitable products, processes or services - including digital products, processes or services - out. 

Companies define the research content and key technologies independently.

The Frontrunner programme is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs, and in particular scaleups) on their way to becoming "Frontrunners”, as well as established "Frontrunner” companies. Small enterprises (companies with max. up to 9 employees) and companies in the startup phase are not the focus of this programme.

Frontrunner projects are typically “single firm” projects; therefore, no cooperation bonus is provided, as is the case, for example, with a General Programme project or a Small scale project.

Companies in difficulty as defined are excluded from funding. Information on classification can be found here.

Funding for a Frontrunner project consists of a non-repayable grant of up to 45 % of eligible project costs. 

• Small enterprises (SE) 45 %
• Medium-sized enterprises (MS) 35 %
• Large enterprises (LE) 25 %

The Fronrunner funding offer is limited to one project per research category per company.

Projects must align with the focus topics of the call for proposals and meet the criteria for the specified project types (experimental development). Please use the TRL scheme (Technology Readiness Levels) as a guide during the application phase.

Funding is awarded solely on an evaluation of the project‘s quality and call documents.

Call documents are available exclusively in German.

Funding depends on whether the project meets the technical and economic evaluation criteria of the initiative.

Project Scoring System

• All projects are analyzed and assessed in terms of the technical and economic aspects for funding
• Technical funding criteria include in particular the degree of innovation and the technical challenge of the planned project
• Economic assessment focuses on the commercialization potential and the applicant’s economic performance

Submissions are possible anytime via the FFG’s eCall system, where the project details and costs are outlined. Additionally, depending on the project type or company status, attachments must be uploaded (e.g., business plan, résumés, etc.).

• Evaluations are conducted by experts of the FFG.
• 7 decision board meetings are held per year.