1. BASIC INFORMATION

Can I apply in English?

Yes, the initial draft (project outline) for the first phase can be written in English. The formal application (Antrag), which is submitted after the first selection step based on the initial draft, must be written in German, whereby the detailed description of the work plan (Vorhabenbeschreibung) and the read deck may be written in English.

Is my project better suited to GO-Bio next or EXIST Forschungstransfer?

Criteria for delimination to the EXIST Forschungstransfer are provided to allow funding by GO-Bio next. Not all criteria need to be met. Project outlines that fulfil the first criterion are generally suitable for GO-Bio next.

The criteria are as follows:

1. The project has a high total R&D funding requirement due to long development times: the funding requested for the first funding phase of GO-Bio next is generally above € 2.5 million and usually covers a development period of more than 2.5 years.
2. The project is characterised by complex, resource-intensive and time-consuming development work to increase technological maturity and a long retention time in a TRL level. In the first phase of GO-Bio next, a maximum of TRL level 5 is usually achieved (starting from TLR level 3).
3. A project team of more than four people is necessary for successful further development of the technology and sustainable development of the spin-off.
4. The project is characterised by the fact that a large number of competencies and regulatory complex developmental tasks must be covered by subcontracts, coaching and consulting using funding of at least € 200,000. Examples include - but are not limited to - contracts for GMP pilot production, GLP toxicity studies, coaching for corporate development and entrepreneurial qualification, regulatory consulting and consulting on intellectual property rights strategy.
5. There is a high funding requirement of at least € 200,000 for material and consumables (possibly investments) for the complex development work.
6. The following exemplary, but not exclusive, research areas in the life sciences are particularly suitable for GO-Bio next: Drug and vaccine development, novel platform technologies for drug development, complex medical devices of risk class 3, in-vitro diagnostics of risk class D, companion diagnostics, combination products of medical device and drug.

If you have project ideas that you believe could be suitable for both EXIST Forschungstransfer and GO-Bio next, we recommend that you seek funding advice from the relevant project management organisation.

Is it possible to apply for the 2nd funding phase independently of the 1st funding phase? If so, what are the requirements for entry into the 2nd funding phase?

Yes, direct entry into the second funding phase is possible by submitting a project outline by the respective deadlines on 15 March and 15 September of each year - even without going through the first funding phase. You can find the template for this at https://vdivde-it.de/de/formulare-fuer-foerderprojekte

The prerequisites for direct entry into the 2nd funding phase are  

• The company was founded no more than three years ago out of a university or research institution.
• The rights of use for the commercial utilisation of the R&D approach lie with the founding company.
• The required own contribution for the planned research work can be raised.
• At the time a grant is paid out, there is a permanent establishment or branch in Germany.

Start-up teams that have successfully received funding as part of the BMWK's EXIST Forschungstransfer can apply via in a one-stage process by submitting an application to. The deadline for submitting applications depends on the progress of the first funding phase and will be announced in good time. The templates will be made available to the teams concerned after consultation with those responsible for the EXIST Transfer of Research.

Where can I find the currently funded projects?

https://www.go-bio.de/gobio/en/projects/go-bio-en/go-bio-en-projects_node.html

2. APPLICATION

How and by when can I apply?

You can upload the project outline for the first and second funding phases in electronic form via the easy online portal (https://foerderportal.bund.de/easyonline) by 15 March or 15 September, 23:59. A signature and postal submission are not necessary! The sketch templates can be found at https://vdivde-it.de/de/formulare-fuer-foerderprojekte.

Please follow the following menu selection in the "easy-Online" portal:

• Ministerium: BMBF or Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (accept terms of use if applicable)
• Fördermaßnahme: Gründungsoffensive Biotechnologie (GO-Bio)
• Förderbereich: GO-Bio next: Skizzeneinreichung 1. Förderphase OR GO-Bio next: Skizzeneinreichung 2. Förderphase

You can upload the project outline in PDF format.

Please enter your institution in easy-Online as the person submitting the sketch and your name under "Executing organisation" and your name under "Project coordination/management".

The funding period is usually 3 years. Please enter your institution in "easy-Online" as „Skizzeneinreicher/in“ and "Ausführende Stelle" and your name under "Project coordination/management".

Can more than one person be named as project leader?

Unfortunately not. The system does not allow this. The handling within your team is up to you. However, the project leader should be a person who will play a key role in the further course of the project, e.g. in the spin-off.

Can a project be submitted by several organisations?

No, unfortunately collaborative projects cannot be realised in GO-Bio next. If the founding team is made up of people from several institutions, the team should decide in favour of one institution.

Is there a template?

Yes, you can find them at: https://vdivde-it.de/de/formulare-fuer-foerderprojekte   

Can I resubmit my project if it is not selected for funding?

Yes, you can resubmit your project outline. You must briefly explain what changes you have made in the sketch template.

What documents do I have to submit after successfully submitting a sketch?

After selecting your project, you must submit an application in the easy online portal. You will receive the link with the application request. In addition to the application, you must submit a project description and a read deck. You will also receive the templates for both in the application request.

3. SELECTION PROCESS

What criteria are used to evaluate the projects?

The sketch is evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Suitability of the project in terms of the announcement/fulfilment of the grant requirements
2. Innovation level of the R&D approach
3. Development status of the project
4. Appropriateness of analyses/strategies for own and third-party property rights
5. Scientific and technical quality of the project, feasibility
6. Qualification, suitability and composition of the project team
7. Additionally for outlines in the first funding phase: Economic exploitation potential and spin-off prospects
8. Additionally in the second funding phase: Economic exploitation potential and financial viability after the end of funding

The selected outlines are invited to apply and the applications with project description and read deck are evaluated again.

The applications received will be assessed and reviewed by a jury according to the following criteria:

1. Innovation level of the project
2. Economic exploitation potential and spin-off prospects
3. Qualification, suitability and composition of the project team
4. Quality of the R&D concept and the description of the work, time and milestone plan
5. Plausibility of the financing plan