The application procedure for funding research projects to improve the exploration and integration phases of ICT research has 2 stages.

Stage 1: Project outline

• You submit a project outline, in the case of a joint project a joint project outline, of a maximum of 15 A4 pages (1.5 line spacing, Arial font, minimum size 11) to the project management organization (German Aerospace Center) and via the pt-outline portal.
• In addition to the project outline, you must print out the pt-outline project sheet, sign it and send it by post to the project management organization (PT).
• The project outline will be evaluated in a competitive procedure with the involvement of external experts, if necessary, according to the following criteria:
  • Strategic contribution to solving the challenges
  • Innovation of the approach of the proposed solution under the given and foreseeable technical and economic boundary conditions
  • Relevance of the proposed solution for industrial applications depending on the respective subject areas
  • Own preliminary work relevant to the project
  • Contribution to the development and expansion of expertise on the part of industrial users and to profile building, particularly on the part of the research partners
  • Sustainable implementation of ideas, concept for model and software maintenance, contributions to the standardization of development methods and software tools
  • Contribution to training and further education on the user side, increase in professional competence.
• If your project idea is selected, you will receive a positive written request to submit the application (stage 2)

Stage 2: Application

You submit your application for funding for research projects to improve the exploration and integration phases of ICT research as follows:

• The application is submitted online via the "easy-Online" portal.
• Call up the "easy-Online" Internet portal. There you will be guided step by step through the application process.
• Fill in all the fields required for the application and send it off with a qualified electronic signature.
• If you do not have a qualified electronic signature, you must print out the application in addition to submitting it electronically, sign it and send it to the project management organization together with the other application documents in the next step.
• Once the project management organization has received the application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
• The responsible administrator at the project management organization will contact you during the processing of your application to clarify any queries.
• Applications are evaluated and checked according to the following criteria:
  • In the case of an SME: Proof of SME status by means of an SME declaration and of the significant share of the research work by the participating SME(s)
  • Implementation of any conditions from the first stage and compliance with the financial framework recommended there for funding
  • Quality of the detailed description of the solution concept, the work plan and the organization of the collaboration within the consortium
  • informative value of the detailed description of the exploitation plan, also with regard to the funding policy objectives of this funding measure
  • Eligibility of the requested funds
  • Necessity and appropriateness of the requested funds
  • Comprehensibility of the explanations of the financing plan, in the case of companies including a description of the own contribution
• You will receive a decision on your application.
• In the event of a positive decision, you will receive a grant notification by post.