Microelectronics2Market - Funding, Guidelines

Support for companies in the semiconductor industry and value chain

The technology offensive "Microelectronics2Market" is aimed at internationally active companies that hold a position as technology leader or are on the verge of achieving this. Funding is provided for research and development projects that are embedded in an offensive business field strategy and address the challenges of the semiconductor industry and the associated value network in the EU and contribute to the expansion of production and services in this value network. This should pave the way for the participating actors to submit follow-up projects under pillar 2 of the European Chips Act (directionality).Submission is possible at any time.

Microelectronics2Market Technology Leadership

The R&D project must be embedded in an offensive business area strategy. Two strategy dimensions are particularly relevant here:

Technology/innovation leadership: The business area strategy is focused on the development of new product, process or service innovations. This results in high growth potential on international markets.
Relevance to the semiconductor industry: The results from the R&D project should secure the availability of semiconductor products in the EU. Subsequently, the implementation of the project results in the EU should also take place and an expansion of production and services in the EU and in Austria in particular.

Eligibility criteria

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.

A high economic risk of the project is evaluated positively in the sense of the "Microelectronics2Market" technology offensive.

In addition to classic chip production, companies from related areas such as prematerial production, packaging, bonding, etc., but also new processes, e.g. in connection with the technological use of quantum effects for data processing or with energy storage, are particularly suitable for submitting an application.

A prerequisite for funding is that the project has a positive impact on the semiconductor industry and the associated value network.

The assessment point of technology leader positioning is also specific to this technology offensive.

A further prerequisite for funding are positive effects of the project on the semiconductor field and the associated value chain. The evaluation point of the technology leadership or the business strategy is also specific for this initiative.

Funding

Funding takes the form of a non-repayable grant. The amount of the grant depends on the size of the company and is usually

large companies: 25 %
medium-sized companies: 35 %
small companies: 45 %

Cooperation

Microelectronics2Market projects are usually "single firm" projects and therefore no cooperation bonus, as is the case for example in the General Programme.

The essentials in brief

Program Owner / Sponsor
Topic	Bottom-up, Circular Economy, Climate-Neutral City, Digitalisation & Broadband, Energy Transition, Further research areas, Innovative & Competitive Companies, Life Sciences & Health, Mobility Transition, Production & Materials, Quantum: Research & Technology, Society & Security, Space & Aviation
Project type	Unternehmensprojekte - Experimentelle Entwicklung
Financing	national
Submission	Submission possible anytime
Target group	The focus of the Microelectronics2Market programme addresses two target groups: 1. SMEs (especially scaleups), medium-sized companies and 2. Established technology leader. Note: Small businesses (companies with up to 9 employees) or companies in the startup phase are not the focus of the Microelectronics2Market programme.
Selection by	Evaluations are conducted by experts of the FFG. The evaluation is carried out throughout the General Programme scoreboard and some additonal guidelines for Microelectronics2Market funding.
What is being funded	The funding quota is up to max. 25 % (major companies), max. 35 % (medium-sized companies), max. 45 % (small companies). Microelectronics2Market projects are usually "single firm" projects and therefore no cooperation bonus, as is the case for example in the General Programme.
Min. / max. funding	Microelectronics2Market Guidelines (German only) / look up Guidelines / € 3 Mio. /
Which costs are eligible for funding?	Guidelines (German only)
Min. / max. running time	24 - 36 months
Availability from	24.10.2022 - constantly