Goodbye, Projekt.Start: Submit Your Application by May 4, 2026

The key points at a glance

• The FFG is ending Projekt.Start on May 4, 2026 at 12:00 noon
• Last submission opportunity for applications is May 4, 2026
• Ongoing projects will continue as normal

The FFG is ending the Projekt.Start grant on May 4, 2026 at 12:00 noon for budgetary reasons. Any applications submitted after that will no longer be processed, but ongoing projects will be handled as normal.

Projekt.Start was the perfect entry point into the FFG funding landscape for many SMEs and startups. Up to €6,000 grant (60% of €10,000 total costs) for the preparation of a larger R&D application, for instance for the Basisprogramm, Kleinprojekt or Frontrunner. A low-threshold instrument that will simply no longer be available going forward.

Planning a grant application? Act fast!

If you're planning an FFG application in the coming months anyway (Basisprogramm, Kleinprojekt, Frontrunner, etc.), now is the moment to take advantage of Projekt.Start. The funding period is 6 months - so you'll have enough time even after May 4 for the preparation, as long as the application is submitted in time.

Concrete next steps

• Check whether you have a fitting R&D project
• Submit the Projekt.Start application in the FFG eCall before May 4
• Eligible costs include personnel costs, external third-party services (max. 40% of total costs) and travel costs
• Plan the subsequent submission in parallel, since the 6-month period starts from the approval date
• Only one Projekt.Start per company per year can be applied for, so there's no second chance

We're here to help

If you're unsure whether your project fits or how to set up the application as quickly as possible, get in touch with us. We've already accompanied many Projekt.Start applications and know what matters - especially now when time is short.

Just write to us at robert@startmatch.ai.

Best regards,
Robert & your StartMatch Team