General Programme

Ein Mann springt in die Luft und steuert eine Drohne.

Open-topic funding for projects with commercialization potential

What is General Programme about?

Eligible projects in the General Programme must include a concrete description of the innovation, including how it differs from competitors. Well-defined proposals for how the product or service is to be implemented are also required. A detailed presentation of the implementation plans is also necessary in terms of market and financing. A prototype at the time of submission is strongly recommended.

All projects are analysed 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. The economic assessment focuses on the commerciali-sation potential and the applicant’s economic performance.

Essentially, it has the following objectives:

  • Research and development up to the prototype stage (experimental development)
  • High degree of innovation (technological novelty) and technically challenging (high technical risk)
  • High exploitation potential (economic aspects may be included)
  • Sustainability goals, social aspects and responsibility, diversity
  • Applications from innovative and competitive companies can be submitted at any time (cooperation possible).

The essential in brief

Target group
Large companiesSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)Start Up
Sponsor
Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism Logo
FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency

Startup funding

The General Programme offers startups considerable financial support by funding up to 70 % of project costs and deferring loan repayment until five years after the end of the project. High-tech startups also benefit from a 5% bonus. This support facilitates market entry and enables initial sales, especially in times of difficult financing conditions, and supports the implementation of technically demanding and economically promising projects.

General Programme key data

  • Funding is open to all topics and technologies
  • Submission at any time - 7 decision board meetings per year
  • Evaluations are conducted by experts of the FFG
  • Costs max. 3 mil. EUR per project (eligible projects costs)
  • Funding: pure grant or financing mix of grant and loan or liability (up to max. 70 %)
  • Low-interest loan (currently 1,75 % p.a.) or liability for bank loans incl. loan cost subsidy
    • Small enterprises (SE) 45 % (grant up to 28 %, startups 31 %)
    • Medium-sized enterprises (MS) 35 % (grant up to 25 %)
    • Large enterprises (LE) 25 % (grant up to 19 %)

Contact

BUCHMAYER Claudia

Claudia BUCHMAYER

+43 577 55-1519 E-Mail
GANSS Sarah

Sarah GANSS

+43 577 55-1517 E-Mail
HAHN Sabine

Sabine HAHN

+43 577 55-1501 E-Mail
SCHMIDT Doris

Doris SCHMIDT

+43 577 55-1511 E-Mail
ZELLNER Marlene

Marlene ZELLNER

+43 577 55-1518 E-Mail

About the FFG

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for industry-related research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby becoming more competitive in the global market.
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