The guideline “Brandenburgischer Innovationsgutschein (BIG)” (“Brandenburg Innovation Voucher”) encompasses four funding opportunities and it is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises in Brandenburg
- that want to intensify their project-based cooperation with scientific institutions (“Small BIG-Transfer“ and “Grand BIG-Transfer”)
- or that want to carry out short-term research and development projects (“BIG-R&D”)
- or digitisation measures (“BIG-Digital”)
- or that are in need of consulting services for filing an application for EU funding for R&D cooperation projects (“BIG-EU”)
Small Innovation Voucher (“Small BIG-Transfer“)
The Small Innovation Voucher (“Small BIG-Transfer”) can be used for the initial phases of scientific undertakings, e.g. consulting services, feasibility studies or laboratory activities; only businesses that have so far not established contact with research institutes are eligible. The assignment by a business given to a higher education institution or extra-mural research institute can be funded to an extent of 100% and with up to €3,000. It is a one-off voucher.
“Grand Innovation Voucher” (“Großer Innovationsgutschein”; “Grand BIG-Transfer”)
Eligible for the “Grand Innovation Voucher” (“Grand BIG-Transfer”) are planning-, development- and implementation-oriented R&D activities. Also eligible are scientific assignments by a business given to a higher education institution and extra-mural research institute. The maximum amount of funding is €15,000 at a funding rate of 50%. Businesses can apply once per year for the Grand BIG-Transfer.
Innovation Voucher Research and Development (“BIG-R&D”)
The Innovation Voucher Research and Development (“BIG-R&D”) will be handed out to businesses for short-term research and development projects with the goal of developing new or improved products, processes and services that can be immediately brought to the market. The maximum funding ranks at €100,000 at the funding rate of up to 50% and a maximum project duration of 2 years.
Digitisation measures (BIG-Digital)
The BIG-Digital will be handed out for the preparation and implementation of digitisation measures at the company that has applied for it; these measures have to pursue the goal of uncovering and seizing the innovation potential of a company through the digitisation of business processes and operations. The BIG-Digital supports the digitisation process of businesses through modular funding:
- Module Consulting: funding for the analysis phase of business processes provided by external consultants. The maximum possible funding ranks at €50,000.
- Module Implementation: funding for the costs of the concrete implementation of digitisation measures. The maximum possible funding ranks at €500,000.
- Module Training: funding for measures aimed at staff qualification in the framework of digitisation measures. The maximum possible funding ranks at €50,000.
- The funding rate of all three modules ranks at up to 50% of the project volume.
Innovation Voucher EU (“BIG-EU“)
The Innovation Voucher EU (“BIG-EU“) can be used by businesses that need assistance for the drawing up of a project proposal or an application for EU funding (R&D-related cooperation projects). The highest possible funding for consulting services provided by a consultant familiar with the EU application filing process ranks at €8,000. Provided that a company has taken over the consortium lead within a consortium of companies, this company can be supported with a sum of up to €16,000. The funding rate ranks at 50%. In principle, it is a one-off voucher.
We offer free consulting services and assistance with regard to all of the modules. Feel free to contact Brandenburg Invest’s regional centre responsible for your location.