FFG Kleinprojekt 2026: Up to 88,500 Euros in Grants for Innovative Developments

In a Nutshell

• Up to €88,500 as a non-repayable grant with max. €150,000 total project costs
• Funding rate up to 60% for small companies with cooperation
• Open to all topics and particularly suited for startups and SMEs
• Continuous submission via FFG eCall

You want to develop a new product, process, or service but are still at an early stage? Then the FFG Kleinprojekt funding is an exciting opportunity to implement your innovation project with public funds - fast, flexible, and open to all topics.

This funding programme offers startups, small companies, and young founding teams a low-barrier entry into research funding.

What Is the FFG Kleinprojekt?

The Small Project within the FFG Basisprogramm supports small development projects with high innovation potential. The focus is on so-called experimental development - the phase between idea and functioning prototype.

The programme is open to all topics. Projects in nearly all technology fields are funded - for example:

• Digitalisation
• Environmental and energy technologies
• Sustainability and circular economy
• Mobility
• Materials development
• AI, Robotics, MedTech, and more

Who Can Apply?

The programme is aimed at:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a permanent establishment or branch in Austria
• Companies in the founding phase
• Startups (founded no more than five years ago)

Large enterprises and research institutions are excluded from the funding. Collaboration with scientific partners or other companies is possible but not mandatory.

Funding Details at a Glance

What Is Funded?

All experimental development steps are eligible, for example:

• Concept and feasibility studies
• Development and testing of prototypes
• Preparation for market readiness
• Innovations beyond the current state of the art

What Costs Are Eligible?

The following costs can be funded through the Small Project:

• Personnel costs for own employees
• Use of R&D infrastructure (e.g. laboratories, test systems)
• Materials and supplies
• Travel costs related to the project
• Third-party costs, e.g. for external development partners or services

Why Is This Funding Particularly Attractive?

For startups and small companies, the Small Project offers:

• Low entry barriers: No consortium required, no thematic restrictions
• High funding rate: Up to 60% grant
• Short duration: Ideal for agile projects

Especially for companies working with the FFG for the first time, the Small Project is an ideal entry point into the funding landscape.

What Should I Look Out for in the Application?

Even though the funding has low barriers, a clear project plan is required with:

• A concrete objective
• A realistic timeline and resource plan
• A comprehensible degree of innovation
• Economic exploitation potential

The project should address a relevant problem for which there is currently no proven solution - and it should be uncertain whether the chosen approach will actually work.

Fazit

The FFG Kleinprojekt is the perfect funding for smaller, risk-laden development projects with an innovative character. Especially for startups, the uncomplicated access and high grant rate are a real advantage.