Germany-wide
Funding for management consulting for SMEs (BAFA)
Official name: Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU (BAFA) · BMWE / BAFA (ESF Plus), applications via coordinating offices (Leitstellen)
Grant towards conceptual individual consulting on all economic, financial, HR and organisational questions of business management (max. 5 consulting days)
Saxony excl. Leipzig region: 80%; Leipzig region (City of Leipzig, Leipzig district, Nordsachsen) and western German states: 50% · Eligible costs max. €3,500 per consultation → max. €2,800 (80%) or €1,750 (50%); max. 2 consultations per year, 5 over the programme term
Suits: Consulting, Strategy, IT security, Automation
- Apply online BEFORE consulting starts; sign contract only after the information letter from the Leitstelle (coordinating office)
- Consultant must be registered with BAFA, mainly (>50% of revenue) management consulting, with QA system
- Consulting report with analysis, weaknesses, specific recommendations for action
Note: Only consulting is eligible (e.g. marketing and sales strategy, digitalisation/AI strategy, recruitment concept, IT security concept), not implementation (design, website, campaign, film). Applications only until 31 December 2026.
Status: Running
Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wide
INQA coaching
Official name: INQA-Coaching · BMAS / ESF Plus; approval by DRV Knappschaft-Bahn-See; entry via INQA advice centres (IBS)
Grant for participatory coaching (agile method with lab team) on HR/work-organisation change needs related to digital transformation
80% of the maximum daily rate (€1,200 net/day); 20% own contribution · Max. 12 consulting days → max. €11,520 grant
Suits: Coaching, Consulting, Automation, Training
- First INQA consultation at an IBS (initial advice centre), then INQA coaching voucher (early start permitted from voucher)
- Only coaches from the pool authorised for INQA coaching, no subcontracting
- Reimbursement principle: company pays upfront
Note: Suits AI/automation rollouts in terms of work organisation, leadership, employee participation – not technical implementation or marketing.
Status: Running
Checked: 22 June 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wideplease verify
ERP promotional loan for digitalisation (KfW 511/512) incl. ERP grant
Official name: ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung (KfW 511/512) inkl. ERP-Förderzuschuss · BMWE / BMF / KfW via your bank
Loan in 3 levels: Basis (hardware, standard software, cloud migration), LevelUp (process digitalisation, digital business models, implementation of a social media communication concept, digitalisation strategy, IT security concepts, further training), HighEnd (future technologies such as AI, big data).
Reduced-interest loan; grant 3% (LevelUp) or 5% (HighEnd) of the disbursed loan, level 1 without grant; optional 50% liability exemption · Loan up to €7.5 million (level 1) or €25 million (level 2/3); grant max. €200,000
Suits: Software and apps, Cloud, IT security, Automation, Online shop, Website, Social media, Training, Strategy, Web hosting
- Apply via your bank before the project starts
- KfW digitalisation check (mandatory for Basis level)
- No refinancing/follow-up financing
Note: Broadest nationwide lever for implementation services, but a loan (grant share only 3–5%). Implementing a social media concept is explicitly named under LevelUp; whether a web shop or hosting is recognised is decided case by case by your bank and KfW.
Status: Running
Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wideplease verify
ERP start-up loan – StartGeld (KfW 067)
Official name: ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld (KfW 067) · BMWE / KfW via your bank
Loan for investments and working capital (e.g. software, marketing, website)
80% liability exemption for your bank; interest rate market-dependent · Up to €200,000 external financing need, of which max. €80,000 working capital
Suits: Brand and logo, Website, Online shop, Print, Social media, SEO and online marketing, Film and photo, Trade fair presence, Software and apps, Web hosting, Cloud
- Apply at your bank before the project starts
- Viable business concept
Note: Loan, not a grant. Have your bank confirm the terms before applying.
Status: Running
Checked: 1 February 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wide
Trade fair programme 'Young Innovators' – participation of young innovative companies in leading international trade fairs in Germany
Official name: Messeprogramm 'Young Innovators' – Teilnahme junger innovativer Unternehmen an internationalen Leitmessen in Deutschland · BMWE / BAFA (with AUMA and trade fair organisers)
Grant towards stand rent and stand construction on the BMWE joint stand (invoiced by the trade fair organiser)
60% for the first two participations, 50% from the third · Max. €7,500 per exhibitor and trade fair
Suits: Trade fair presence
- Register with the trade fair organiser no later than 8 weeks before the fair starts, then apply to BAFA immediately
- Only trade fairs on the annual BMWE list
- Innovation must be described (own development)
Note: Only stand rent/construction of the joint stand – own stand design, print, film or trade fair marketing by the agency are NOT eligible.
Status: Running
Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wideplease verify
Mittelstand-Digital centres (free services)
Official name: Mittelstand-Digital Zentren (kostenfreie Angebote) · BMWE
Free workshops, demonstrators, practical projects, initial consulting (no cash grant)
100% free of charge · —
Suits: Consulting, Automation, IT security, Social media, SEO and online marketing, Online shop, Training
- No grant for external service providers
Note: Which centres will start in 2027 is not yet known. Thematic centres (e.g. retail, crafts) partly run until 31 December 2026.
Status: Transition phase: existing network being gradually phased out until end of 2026
Checked: 13 October 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wideplease verify
Cybersecurity Transfer Office for SMEs / CYBERsicher check and emergency help
Official name: Transferstelle Cybersicherheit im Mittelstand / CYBERsicher Check und Notfallhilfe · BMWE (Mittelstand-Digital funding priority), a BVMW project
Free events, materials, CYBERsicher check, emergency help (no cash grant)
100% free of charge · —
Suits: IT security
- No grant for external IT security service providers
Note: There has been no standalone federal GRANT for IT security in SMEs since go-digital ended; IT security is covered via Digi-Z/Digi-D (SN), KfW 511/512 (LevelUp) or as a consulting topic (BAFA, Saxon business consulting).
Status: Running
Checked: 1 October 2026Programme page ↗
Germany-wideplease verify
Training funding for employees (§ 82 SGB III, 'Qualifizierungschancengesetz' – Qualification Opportunities Act)
Official name: Weiterbildungsförderung Beschäftigter (§ 82 SGB III, 'Qualifizierungschancengesetz') · Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency, employer service)
Grant towards course fees and wages during training
< 50 employees: up to 100% of course fees and up to 75% wage subsidy; 50–499: 50%/up to 50%; 500 or more: 25%; +5 percentage points with a collective or works agreement · No fixed upper limit
Suits: Training
- Course > 120 hours
- Provider and course AZAV-accredited
- More than job-specific adaptation training
Note: Only usable if the agency (or a partner) is an AZAV-certified training provider offering courses > 120 h (e.g. AI/digital marketing qualification).
Status: Running
Checked: 1 April 2024Programme page ↗