Apply for funding for research and development projects as well as measures for technology and knowledge transfer in the field of organic farming

You can apply for funding for research and development projects, including knowledge transfer, using a two-stage procedure. This consists of an outline phase and an application phase.

Outline phase

To prepare and submit project outlines, use the federal government's electronic form system for applications, proposals and outlines "easy-Online".

Forms for guidelines, information sheets, instructions and ancillary provisions can be downloaded from the BLE's form cabinet.

In the first stage of the procedure, you submit the outlines online via "easy-Online".

The project outlines you submit will be checked and evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Reference to the objectives of the funding guideline and contribution to the further development of the organic agriculture and food sector
• Relevance to the current announcement
• Relevance and innovation potential for science and practice
• Scientific and methodological quality (current state of knowledge, project objectives, work planning)
• Expertise of the project team and integration of relevant competencies
• Quality and efficiency of the planned methods for knowledge transfer
• Quality and efficiency of the planned utilization of the project results
• Prospects of success for the stated project objectives
• Coherence of the measures and work steps in the research data management plan
• Appropriate financial, time and personnel planning of resources and compliance with formal requirements

The BMEL and the project management organization reserve the right to consult independent experts when evaluating the project outlines you submit, while ensuring the protection of interests and confidentiality. Their vote will serve as a basis for the BMEL's decision.
There is no legal entitlement to the return of a submitted project outline and any other documents submitted as part of this stage of the procedure.

Application phase

The project management organization will inform you of the result.

If the assessment is positive, you will be asked to submit a formal funding application in the second stage of the procedure, on which a decision will be made after a final review.

• Your institution must be located in Germany at the time the grant is paid out.
• If your research institution receives basic funding from the federal or state governments, project funding is only possible for additional project-related costs under certain conditions.
• State aid will not be granted if there is a reason for exclusion, in particular if your company is considered to be a "company in difficulty". A company is considered to be " in difficulty" if it will almost certainly be forced to cease its business activities in the short or medium term without state intervention or state support. This is the case, for example, if your company is threatened with insolvency or if its own funds have been reduced by more than half due to accumulated losses.
• Your application outline is written in German.

• The funding procedure is designed in two stages.
• In the first stage, you submit a project outline. This must contain
  • the form created via Easy-Online and a brief description
  • Project description
  • financial plan
  • SME declaration and research data management plan, if applicable
• In the second stage, you submit the complete application with all the necessary documents.

There are no costs.

The deadline for submitting your outline depends on the respective announcement.

• Directive on the funding of research and development projects and measures for technology and knowledge transfer in the organic agriculture and food sector dated October 13, 2023
• § Sections 23 and 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO)
• General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
• State aid - agriculture and forestry sector

• Appeal within one month of notification of the decision

There are no indications or special features.

11.11.2024