Do you have an idea for a project for which you would like to receive funding from the DBU? Regardless of whether you already have experience with funding applications or are applying for the first time: Our aim is to provide you with the best possible support along the way. With us, the path to funding is simple – fast, digital and easy to understand. And we are happy to support you with individual advice.
You may initially have many questions – in particular, whether your project idea can be funded by the DBU at all. We have therefore compiled answers to a selection of frequently asked questions below. The questions and answers do not claim to be exhaustive or all-encompassing. The extent to which a project can be funded by the DBU is always examined individually from a technical and legal perspective.
The questions you have are not included or one answer is not enough for you? Please feel free to contact us! Our staff will be happy to advise and support you with regard to your project idea and a possible application.
The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) supports projects that develop innovative, exemplary and economically viable solutions for the environment, ecology and sustainability. For this purpose we offer 11 funding themes plus open-topic funding as well as temporary funding initiatives are available. The focus is particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The DBU also supports international projects with a focus on the countries of Central and (South) Eastern Europe (CEE). Funding for international projects beyond CEE is possible in individual cases.
As a rule, legal entities are funded – e.g. small and medium-sized enterprises, clubs, organizations, associations, local authorities, scientific institutions and universities. Natural persons and state institutions can be funded in individual cases following a separate review. Special consideration is given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Please inform yourself first on this website about project funding. You can also read the DBU funding guidelines – in particular the section “Procedural provisions” – is recommended, as these define the legal framework for funding.
The next step is then to use our online application procedure to upload a “project outline” in order to initiate the technical processing of your request at the DBU. If you have any questions, the DBU staff will contact you. Please note that this does not constitute a technical assessment of the content of your project idea.
The amount of funding is reviewed and determined on an individual basis. In principle, own contributions must be provided and verified in DBU-funded projects (information in the section “Questions on funding quotas, own contribution and overheads” and in the”Working aids for the application“). The funding amount per project (excluding own contribution) is often between €100,000 and €400,000. Projects with a funding amount of up to €175,000 are approved by the Secretary General of the DBU. Projects with higher funding volumes are additionally assessed and approved by the DBU Board of Trustees.
In accordance with our funding guidelines, these are not eligible for funding:
Funding is also generally not considered if a project does not comply with the statutory purpose of the DBU. This is particularly the case if a project
Please note the detailed lists of projects that are generally not eligible for funding for the following funding topics:
Funding theme 0: Open-topic funding
Funding topic 1: Sustainability communication, education and evaluation
Funding theme 4: Climate and resource-friendly construction
Funding theme 5: Sustainable neighborhood development
Funding theme 6: Renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency
Funding on an expenditure basis (up to 100 % funding rate): no. For information see Information sheet for the calculation on an expenditure basis.
Funding on a cost basis (usually 50% funding rate): possible. For information see Information sheet for calculation on a cost basis and in the FAQ “When can overhead costs be applied for?” in the section “Questions on funding quotas, own contribution and overhead costs”.
Acceptance of the funding obliges the grant recipients to comply with the DBU’s funding guidelines, to concentrate their efforts on the project in accordance with the funding application or the work plan and to inform the DBU immediately if:
1) the funding project is interrupted or terminated,
2) there is a threat of insolvency or bankruptcy,
3) circumstances arise that jeopardize the successful implementation of the project,
4) circumstances arise that mean that the ecological or sustainable impact of the project can no longer be achieved,
5) they receive relevant funding from another source.
The funding guidelines of the DBU must be observed.
The funding activities of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt fall under EU state aid regulations. The funding guidelines have been notified to the EU Commission. In practice, the classification of funding as state aid means that the admissibility of funding projects must first be measured against European state aid law. Funding modalities with project partners outside the EU are agreed individually with the DBU. See also the Information sheet on EU state aid law.
The funding rate is the percentage share of DBU funding in the total project costs that can be invoiced to the DBU. The own contribution is the difference between the total project costs and the proportionate funding provided by the DBU. The use of the total costs including the own contribution must be proven. Only the share corresponding to the funding quota will be paid out.
In principle, own contributions must be provided and verified in DBU funding projects, see Information sheet for calculation on a cost basis.
There are exceptions to this rule in the case of applications for funding on an “expenditure basis” by public-law universities in Germany or public-law institutions with basic state funding, see Information sheet for the calculation on an expenditure basis.
Another exception is funding as so-called de minimis aid in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/2831, see Info sheet on EU state aid law.
The project can be co-financed from own funds and to an appropriate extent also in the form of voluntary work. In exceptional cases, co-financing from EU and state funds as well as from other sponsors or donations is possible. As a rule, however, federal funds should not be used for co-financing.
The own contribution can vary from project to project and for each individual project partner. The following applies within the EU: As a general rule, a minimum 50% own contribution should be assumed. Exceptions apply:
As a rule, companies bear 75% of development-related project costs and 50% of research-related project costs. Supplements that reduce the amount of the own contribution are possible for small and medium-sized enterprises and for cooperation projects, see Info sheet on EU state aid law.
Determining the upper limit for funding permitted under EU state aid law, from which the minimum amount of the own contribution to be made is derived, can be time-consuming in individual cases.
Overhead costs can be applied for if employer contributions for social benefits (social insurance, health insurance, etc.) are incurred or if existing infrastructures to be maintained by the funding recipients (workplace costs including IT costs and building management costs, etc.) must be used for project implementation. In such cases, a flat-rate cost allowance of up to 45% may be applied in relation to the gross employee salaries and material overheads incurred in the project to a limited extent. For further options, please refer to the Info sheet for calculation on a cost basis. It is not possible to apply for additional “overhead costs”.
Generally no. However, there are exceptions, e.g. for the co-financing of your own contribution by third parties.
It is not a loan. Funding is provided in the form of an earmarked, non-repayable grant. The use of the total project costs must be proven to the DBU.
We prefer a two-stage application process:
Applications can be submitted at any time. However, we advise you to submit the application or project outline as early as possible. You should expect several months before a funding decision is made and there is strong competition for funding.
This depends on the quality of the submitted project outline or full application and the amount of funding requested. If all the necessary data is complete and the content of the application is excellent, you can expect a processing time of around four to six months. If further queries are necessary, it will take correspondingly longer. If additional expert opinions are required for the assessment, the processing time will generally also take longer.
Project durations are on average between 18 and 36 months. Terms of more than 36 months are unusual and are only granted by the DBU in well-founded exceptional cases.
The most successful funding applications to the DBU very rarely have more than 20 pages. An initial project outline should not exceed ten pages. The basic rule is: as long as necessary, as short as possible. You can find a guide to writing your outline here.
If no “early start of measures” has been approved in advance, the project begins on the date of approval by the DBU. This means that the date of approval is the cut-off date from which project costs may be incurred and invoiced. A different date for the start of the project can also be set with the approval of the DBU. In principle, however, project funding must have been at least partially utilized within twelve months of project approval (which presupposes a project start), otherwise it will expire.
Communication with the DBU is generally in German. Applications and reports must also generally be submitted in German.
Project outlines can be submitted in our online application procedure can be uploaded. If you have any questions, the DBU staff will contact you.
The DBU contact persons will be happy to provide you with initial advice before you submit your outline online. You will find suitable contact persons for your project idea under the respective funding topics. Please note that the technical content of your project idea will not be assessed here.
When submitting an outline and an application, tabular comparisons and/or mind maps can be included as an attachment to make the project objectives and the solution approach easier to grasp and more precise, as well as to provide a clearer distinction from the state of the art.
Yes, a joint application must be submitted for cooperation projects. Each individual project partner prepares their own cost plan. The individual cost plans are then attached to the application together with a joint cost overview. The (German) grant recipient assumes responsibility for the project vis-à-vis the DBU.
Yes. A cooperation agreement with important information on the joint project (e.g. deadlines for interim/final reports and proof of use) is always helpful. The project partners usually conclude a detailed cooperation agreement after approval; the willingness of all project partners involved should already be declared in the application. You can use our Guide to drawing up a cooperation agreement for this purpose.