Erfurt - Applications are invited for Thuringia’s recently launched ‘Funding for Research, Technology and Innovation’ program. EUR 200 million has been made available to fund research and development projects undertaken by companies and research institutes and to up-grade the business-related research infrastructure. “Innovation is the most important growth driver for our economy,” says Thuringia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee. The program will support independent and collaborative projects by businesses and research institutes, as well as the establishment and expansion of innovation centers, patent applications and exemption from paying basic rent in technology and business incubator centers. The framework for the support is derived from the Thuringian Research and Innovation Strategy. Projects must be able to be allocated to particular categories such as ‘Industrial production and systems’, ‘Sustainable, intelligent mobility and logistics’ and some others. Depending on the size of the company and the type of research, the funding may cover up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for collaborative projects and up to 70 per cent for independent projects. (maa)
