IVLV is entitled to apply for public funding in the Industrial Collective Research program (IGF) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. The BMWE is promoting projects which are application-oriented and pre-competitive and will furthermore improve the competitive situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) on a sustained basis. Since January 01, 2024 the support of the funding programme lies with DLR Projektträger.

For the application for IGF funding, a research proposal must be drawn up. Guideline, guide and advisory questionnaire should be studied before the application process. The application for funding should be formulated in a comprehensible manner without special thematic expertise and answer the following questions:

• Where is the problem that needs solution for the industry?
• What is the scientific and technical approach for the solution? (Hypothesis)
• What is the approach of achieving the R&D target?
• How can the expected results be implemented for KMU and how are the results transferred?

With the commencement of a project, an accompanying user committee from industry representatives has to be compiled. It must include sufficient companies, of which at least 5 are SMEs. A representative from the industry will be appointed as the future industrial spokesman for the project accompanying committee. All representatives of industry in the user committee have the possibility to control the project, to advise and support the research institutes, as well as to benefit directly from the transfer of the results to the industry. The IVLV membership or the willingness to perform an IVLV funding commitment of two years’ membership is expected from all companies participating in the new project. The transfer of contributions from serveral, individual companies by one industrial association is possible.

Deadlines
Applications for funding from the BMWE in the IGF program can be submitted to the IVLV office throughout the year. These are formally checked by the office and initially assessed internally by IVLV according to the following criteria:

• Industry relevance, especially for SMEs This must be proven by large pre-competitive industrial interests supported by a sufficient number of IVLV member companies or, in exceptional cases, sponsoring companies. It is important for the active cooperation of the companies, the early transfer of results as well as securing the IGF related expenses of the IVLV by the economy.
• Scientific quality
  This is initially assessed internally by members of the IVLV Advisory Board according to the IGF assessment criteria and in a circular procedure. If necessary, there is the possibility of revision.

High-quality applications are further submitted to the DLR Projektträger, where they are assessed in the thematically structured expert groups. In order to avoid delays due to the assessment process, IGF applications have to be submitted in full to the IVLV office not later than 4 months before the meeting dates of the expert group.