The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) has released the new funding guideline "SME innovative: Medical Technology" . The aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the development of innovative medical products, in-vitro diagnostics, and digital health technologies and to accelerate the transfer of new research results into medical care. Modern medical technology, digitalization, and Artificial Intelligence play a central role in this.

Pre-competitive research and development projects with a clear application reference are funded. The focus is on new solutions for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, monitoring, aftercare, and care. AI-supported and digital technologies that improve patient care and make medical processes more efficient are particularly in demand.

Eligible to apply are mainly small and medium-sized enterprises that implement their projects together with universities, research institutions, or health care institutions in joint projects. The funding guideline is technology-open and is intended to support particularly innovative SMEs in high-risk development projects. Large companies can participate in joint projects but generally do not receive funding.

The program has an annual funding volume of around 40 million euros. The project duration is usually up to 36 months, and the average funding volume is about 1 million euros per project. About half of the funding is reserved for SMEs.

Important deadlines

Project proposals can be submitted twice a year. The deadlines are:

• April 15

• October 15

Funding applications can generally be prepared continuously; the evaluation takes place on the respective deadlines. The application process has been specially simplified and accelerated for SMEs.

With the funding measure, the BMFTR strengthens the innovation power of the German medical technology industry and particularly promotes AI-based solutions that pave the way to personalized, connected, and data-driven healthcare.