Current funding programmes for applied energy research for the energy transition

Research funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in the 8th Energy Research Programme

In autumn 2023, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) published the "8th Energy Research Programme for Applied Energy Research - Research Missions for the Energy Transition".

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action funds project within the research programme for applied energy research through funding announcements. This page provides information on eligible research topics, the general funding procedure and the legal framework for research funding within the programme.

The BMWK's 8th Energy Research Programme (German only) has been in force since October 2023. Based on the associated general funding announcement (German only), research teams can apply for funding from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection with their innovative project ideas.

The funding priorities for applied energy research under the 8th Energy Research Programme include both technology-specific and non-technological topics as well as overarching cross-cutting issues. The programme thus covers the entire spectrum of the energy system.

Current funding calls and funding formats

Funding announcement (German only)

Funding announcement for applied energy research as part of the 8th Energy Research Programme

Funding formats

Living labs of the energy transition (unlimited)

Micro projects

In addition, the BMWK publishes selective offers, such as funding calls or ideas competitions on specific research topics and focal points. These each have specific submission deadlines.

Calls for funding (German only)

Call for funding "Vom Plan zur Wende" (01.10.2028)

German only: Call for funding Ressource efficiency and circular economy (unlimited)

Archive (German only)

The Archive provides funding offers and ideas competitions for which the submission deadline has passed.

Technological readiness level for funding by the BMWK

The departmental responsibility in the 8th Energy Research Programme is based on the internationally recognised system of the "Technology Readiness Level" (TRL). The focus here is on the desired maturity level of the technologies within a research project. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection supports application-oriented research projects (TRL 3-7) and real-world laboratories along the entire energy chain (TRL 7-9).

Information on applying for research funding

You can find information on how to apply, contact persons and direct access to creating an outline for an application for funding in the 8th Energy Research Programme under Information for Applicants and under the respective funding priorities.

Applications for research funding within the framework of project funding in the priority areas of the general funding announcement are possible at any time, regardless of specific calls for funding or ideas competitions.