National Programs and Initiatives

Funding Program "Programs on AI in digital technologies“

Mandated by BMWi

The aim of the funding program “Development of Digital Technologies” is to pick up on key technological trends at an early stage and to accelerate the process of transferring scientific findings into the development of marketable high-tech technologies. Funding is devoted to the following programmes:

• ICT for Electric Mobility III focuses on the key areas of logistics, mobility and energy infrastructure (from 2015). Smart cars, smart grids and smart traffic are the main research pillar of the programme. 2016 – 2022 (€50m)
• Smart Services World II is designed to tap into the application fields that are underrepresented in the programme SSW I. The programme SSW I was aimed at internet-based Business Services and sought to connect digital user areas using a targeted, secure combination of cyber-physical systems, data management technologies, and open service platforms. Some of the projects are continued in SSW II. A special focus is given to applications for small towns and rural regions in this programme. 2016 – 2021 (€50m)
• Digital technology for the economy – PAiCE aims at transferring digital innovation to the industrial environment. Pioneering technology fields such as product engineering, agile logistics, service robotics, industrial 3D applications and industrial communication as well as their interconnectivity are addressed, which are particularly relevant for the digitisation of the economy. 2016 – 2021 (€46m)
• Smart Data Economy is a technology programme for applied research to promote cutting-edge digital technologies. In the field of data economy, it will contribute to exploiting the opportunities of digital transformation in various areas of application. 2019 – 2021 (€60m)
• In the framework of the KI-Wettbewerb (AI Innovation Competition), the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy wants to support new forms of AI-based platform economy in key sectors of the German economy. In the first competition phase, over 35 networks with 80 project partners were financially supported by the government. The competition winners were announced in September 2019, while the project implementation started in January 2020. The current third call funds proposals and methods for the assessment and evaluation of economic, health and socio-political consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the derivation of measures and options for action – preventive and in crisis.
• The “Secure Digital Identities” showcase aims at strengthening digital sovereignty by developing German eIDAS solutions, which are equally user-friendly, trustworthy and cost-efficient. These solutions should be easier to access for administration, businesses – especially SMEs – and the population. The aim is to create application-oriented eID ecosystems that are characterised by openness, interoperability and simple, intuitive and barrier-free usage. 11 projects are currently being funded under this scheme.
• The BMWi supports a limited number of “bilateral cooperation projects” with selected partner countries in the European and international arena. The aim is, on the one hand, to transfer technological developments to foreign application areas and markets and, on the other hand, to use the specific competences of research institutions and companies from the respective partner country in current funding areas for joint activities. The document can be accessed and downloaded here.

Agricultural Systems of the Future

Mandated by BMBF

Started in 2016, this programme aims at tackling future challenges such as population growth, urbanisation, climate change and shrinking farmland by paving new ways in the agricultural economy. Since 2019, the BMBF has been subsidising a total of eight research consortia to develop cross-disciplinary alternative approaches over the next five years. In terms of agriculture 4.0 and corresponding bioeconomic principles, smart and high technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and resource-efficient closed energy and material cycles play a central role. The consortia are examining alternative production systems extending from the rural to the urban space.

mFUND

Mandated by BMVI

The funding program mFUND is designed to promote R&D projects related to digital data-based applications for Mobility 4.0. It supports founders, start-ups, businesses, authorities, and institutions of higher education. Funding recipients develop digital business ideas that are based on mobility, spatial and weather data.

Support Program for Artificial Intelligence

Mandated by BMU

Through the support program for Artificial Intelligence, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) funds projects that aim at coping with ecological challenges and are exemplary for a digitalization that respects environment, climate and nature (“KI-Leuchttürme”, AI flagship projects).

Land.Digital

Mandated by BMEL

With the “Land.Digital” support scheme, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) supports the digital transformation in rural areas and disseminates model practical concepts under the umbrella of the Federal Rural Development Scheme (BULE) throughout Germany. In 2017, on behalf of the BMEL, the Rural Development Competence Centre (KomLE) issued a call for project proposals entitled “LandDigital: opportunities of digitalisation for rural areas” to look for interested parties who wanted to improve rural life through the smart use of information and communications technologies. Thereby, 61 projects received a funding guarantee of up to EUR 200,000. All projects will be completed by March 2022 at the latest. The project areas comprise the seven thematic areas “Economy and Labour”, “Volunteering and Involvement”, “Mobility”, “Education and Training”, “Health and Care”, “Local Service Provision” and “Information and Communication Platforms (ICT platforms)”.