First call for funding under the ‘Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection (BIK)’ programme launched

A few days ago, the funding guideline for the new ‘Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection (BIK)’ programme was published in the Federal Gazette, together with the first calls for funding for the two funding modules. This marks the entry into force of the funding guideline and the launch of the first call for funding. Companies now have three months and until 30 November 2024 to submit their project outlines. According to current planning, a volume of just over €1 billion is available for the first call for funding proposals. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Habeck presented the programme on 23 August 2024.

Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular are encouraged to submit their funding projects for investments and technology developments. Industrial projects for decarbonisation are in demand, for example through electrification or conversion to renewable hydrogen, as well as projects for the capture, storage and use of CO₂ (CCU and CCS). The individual funding conditions can be found in the funding guidelines and the calls for funding for the two funding modules. In module 1, decarbonisation projects are eligible for up to 200 million euros in funding. In module 2, CCS/CCU projects are eligible for funding, i.e. investment projects with up to 30 million euros and industrial research projects with up to 35 million euros.

The BIK funding programme is planned to run until 2030. According to current planning, around 3.3 billion euros will be available for the funding programme for the entire duration of the programme. The funding comes from the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF).

The BIK programme will operate alongside the climate protection contracts and is aimed squarely at small and medium-sized enterprises. The BIK and climate protection contracts are coordinated and cannot be cumulated. Funding opportunities start at a project size of 500,000 euros for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and one million euros for large companies. For projects with a volume of 15 million euros or more, the federal states are expected to provide 30 per cent of the co-financing.