Apply for funding from the ESF Plus "INQA Coaching" program

From the perspective of SMEs:

• Approach an IBS and attend the initial interview.
• If your eligibility is determined: Accept the consulting check (or a reimbursement commitment if you meet the requirements)
• Contact one or more coaches
• Carry out the coaching in the company and document the results
• Settle the costs for the coach via the ZEU-S funding portal
• Conduct the results discussion with the IBS

Steps from the perspective of the sponsors (for IBS, ÜZ):

The funding procedure is a two-stage process. In the 1st step, you submit an expression of interest. In the 2nd step, the selected project sponsors are invited to submit an application.

Step 1:

• You submit expressions of interest electronically via the Z-EU-S IT funding portal. Please note the deadlines announced separately.
• Selection is based on defined selection criteria and weightings, including quality of the project concept, quality of project implementation, aspects of suitability and funding.

Step 2:

• Participants in the selection process whose expressions of interest have been positively assessed will be invited to submit a formal, written funding application to the DRV KBS via the Z-EU-S IT funding portal once the funding provider has made a decision.

If the project is approved, the usual regulations for grants apply, supplemented by special regulations for federal funding from the European Social Fund 2021-2027.

Applications for the SME program area can be submitted by

Legally independent companies, members of the liberal professions and non-profit organizations that

• have their registered office and place of work in Germany,
• have been on the market for at least 2 years at the time the check is awarded,
• had at least one employee subject to social security contributions or one full-time employee (annual work unit, AWU) in the last financial year before the start of the consultation,
• have fewer than 250 employees (in AWU) and either an annual turnover of no more than 50 million euros or an annual balance sheet total of no more than 43 million euros.

Applications for the IBS program area can be submitted by

Legal entities under private and public law as well as partnerships with legal capacity that wish to expand their

• Access to SMEs,
• consulting experience,
• methodological expertise,
• network connections and
• their professional and administrative suitability

in accordance with the funding guidelines. These can be chambers, employers' associations, trade unions or educational institutions.

The grant may be passed on to sub-project partners.

Applications for the ÜZ program area can be submitted by

Legal entities under private or public law as well as partnerships with legal capacity that

• their professional and administrative suitability and
• their network connections

in accordance with the funding guidelines.

When expressing interest and submitting an application, you must submit

• The required documents listed in the Z-EU-S funding portal for the ESF Plus federal program "INQA-Coaching".

The sponsors pay 80 percent for IBS and 90 percent for ÜZ.

SMEs pay in advance for the consultation. If you have carried out the coaching, 80 percent of the costs can be reimbursed.

Application for assumption of costs (SMEs):

The application must be received by the DRV KBS within a period of one month after completion of the INQA coaching, or 8 months after issue of the consultancy voucher

Application for sponsorship (IBS, ÜZ):

Participants in the selection process whose expressions of interest have been positively assessed will be asked to submit a formal, written funding application to the DRV KBS via the Z-EU-S funding portal once the funding provider has made a decision. This must be submitted within 8 weeks.

• Article 4(1)(h) in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
• Regulation (EU) No 2021/1060
• § Section 23 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO)
• § Section 44 Federal Budget Code (BHO) paragraph 1
• in conjunction with General Administrative Provisions (VV) No. 4 to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO)
• Funding principles for the approval of grants
• Special ancillary provisions for grants for project funding (BNBest-P-ESF-Bund)
• Special ancillary provisions for grants for project funding to local authorities and associations of local authorities as part of the ESF federal program for the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) in the 2021 to 2027 funding period (BNBest-Gk-ESF-Bund)
• Funding guideline for the ESF Plus program "INQA-Coaching" from 04.08.2022 (BAnz AT 16.08.2022 B1)

• You can lodge an appeal against decisions made as part of the approval process (funding decision, final decision) via the Z-EU-S funding portal.
• A direct appeal procedure is also permitted against decisions made as part of the expression of interest procedure - provided these were issued by a supreme federal authority

Forms available: No

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

Please note the following:

You can replace the written form with the electronic form of the qualified electronic signature (QES) or electronic proof of identity (eID) approved in the Z-EU-S funding portal.

Please give priority to the electronic form.

Only in exceptional cases can you apply to the granting authority to submit the signature by post.

In such exceptional cases, you must download the electronically recorded forms submitted in Z-EU-S after electronic submission. You must then sign the forms by hand and submit them by post. Please note the applicable deadlines.

06.01.2023