Programme

Innovative Regional Growth Cores

This programme is aimed at regional cooperations with either a platform technology at their disposal or the potential to develop one and which show important features that make them unique in their field of competence.

The programme "Innovative Regional Growth Cores" (German: Innovative regionale Wachstumskerne) started in 2001 with the aim of effectively using and developing existent competences and potentials in the New German Länder. It supports alliances of businesses, universities and research institutes, which either already possess a joint, specific platform technology in their region or have the potential to develop one.

A region's unique competence could for example be the command of certain technologies or applications or a specific way of processing materials. Often, these singular regional features are based on long regional traditions and are anchored in companies and research institutes or patented.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) demands a well-grounded market-oriented strategy from the initiatives that is aimed at developing innovative, economically successful products in the long run and thus increase regional value creation. Ideally, this would be the starting point for a "cluster process".

In 2007 the programme "GC Potential" was added to the programme "Innovative Regional Growth Cores". There are distinct, independent application processes that aim at different target groups for the two programmes.

Aims

The programme "Innovative Regional Growth Cores" supports regional initiatives which act in a business-like manner and already possess a clear thematic focus (i.e. a platform technology) that enables synergy effects between separate activities. Based on this existing core competence, partners develop marketable innovations and corresponding strategies for important markets.

Applicants

Companies as well as universities, extra-university research and educational institutions in the New German Länder which are based in the same region are entitled to apply.

Development Area

New German Länder

Importance of the Region

Only initiatives from the New German Länder whose functional connection is apparent are eligible for funding. Within the context of this programme, Länder are not seen as regions.

Start

2001

Application Process

Multi-level: Outline of ideas, interview, innovation concept, assessment centre. Applicants are advised to contact the project management organisation before submitting their applications.

Application Deadline

No deadline, continuous application process

Duration of Funding

3 years

Kind of Funding

Contributions are granted as non-repayable subsidies.

Funding/Support

The programme supports projects dealing with basic research, industrial research and pre-competitive development. Construction measures and large-scale investments are not funded.

In addition, funding is available for

  • Specific and general training and further education projects
  • Innovation advice for SMEs and persons starting up a new business

Applicants are provided with free counselling while developing their innovation concept.

Project Management/Contact

Projektträger Jülich, Außenstelle Berlin

 


 

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Contact Persons

  • Federal Ministry of Education and Research

    • Referat 114 "Regionale Innovationsinitiativen; Neue Länder"
    • Hannoversche Str. 28-30
    • D-10115 Berlin
    • Telephone: +49 30 18 57 - 5273
    • Fax: +49 30 18 57 - 85273
    • E-Mail Address: Gudrun.Kurek@bmbf.bund.de
    • Homepage: http://www.bmbf.de

  • Project Management Organisation PtJ

    • Fördermanagement Unternehmen Region
    • Zimmerstr. 26-27
    • D-10969 Berlin
    • Telephone: +49 30 2 01 99 - 4 82
    • Fax: +49 30 2 01 99 - 4 00
    • E-Mail Address: wachstumskerne@unternehmen-region.de
    • Homepage: http://www.fz-juelich.de/ptj