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Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) — EXIST · Germany

EXIST Business Start-up Grant (EXIST-Gründungsstipendium)

Programme — check the current round

Note: applications through a German university or research institution.

Programme overview

Supports students, graduates and researchers from German universities and research institutions in turning an innovative, knowledge-based idea into a start-up over twelve months, from concept to founding.

Who can apply

Graduates and research staff up to five years after graduating or leaving; students (the team should not consist mostly of students); teams of at most three people. The company must not yet be founded when funding starts (founding during the funding period is allowed). Hosted by a German university or research institution.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

How to apply

1. Talk to the start-up service or transfer office of your German university or research institution; the application goes through it.
2. Check the team rules: at least one person with a university degree; at most one person whose qualification is more than five years old.
3. Prepare the idea paper, CVs and the work and cost plan with the start-up service.
4. Do not found the company before funding starts; founding during the funding period is allowed.

✓ Checked against the official call text on 2026-11-15 (exist.de, programme page EXIST-Gründungsstipendium).

From the call text

Who can apply

Students, graduates and research staff of German universities and research institutions with an innovative, knowledge-based start-up idea; graduates and research staff up to five years after graduating or leaving.

Company stage

Early phase: the company must not be founded when funding starts, but may be founded at any time during the funding period.

Single applicant or consortium

A founder team (or a single founder); at least one team member needs a university degree, and at most one may hold a vocational or university qualification older than five years.

Where applicants must be based

Hosted by a university or research institution in Germany.

Where to apply

Through your university or research institution (its start-up service applies with you).

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page · EXIST Business Start-up Grant · How to apply

The application guidance on this page was checked by hand against the official call text on 15 Nov 2026; other facts were taken from the source on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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