PROFI Impuls: Funding for Ideas with Impact!

The “PROFI Impuls” funding guideline complements the existing PROFI program and supports smaller projects and initiatives that strengthen Hamburg’s capacity for innovation and its economy. Innovation is defined broadly here, so that market-oriented, non-technological innovations are also eligible for funding.

The program’s key priorities consist of two modules:

Module 1:

Strengthening Hamburg’s innovation ecosystem by supporting events and projects that facilitate the exchange of ideas on innovation topics and the dissemination of innovative technologies, approaches, and methods
Module 1A: Organizing events, workshops, and networking meetings
Module 1B: Testing and establishing networking initiatives such as innovation hubs, infrastructures, and networks

Module 2:

Supporting the development and testing of technical and non-technical innovations that can be applied in business models, products, solutions, and/or processes
Module 2A: Conducting feasibility studies and experimental pilot projects
Module 2B: Implementation of projects to develop and test innovative business models or products, processes, services, and solutions

Eligible expenses:

• Personnel costs (plus personnel overhead surcharge, if applicable)
• External services
• Material costs
• Special direct costs (other operating costs)

PROFI Impuls offers non-repayable grants through two modules, with the exact structure varying depending on the specific initiative. Funding is provided as either a fixed-amount grant or a percentage-based grant.

Module 1A:

Fixed-Amount Grant

The exact amount is determined based on a cost plan submitted with the application. A minimum 10% co-payment must be provided.

The funding amount is determined based on the following maximum lump-sum amounts per event, which are scaled according to the number of participants:

• <100 participants: max. 3,500 euros
• >100 participants: max. 5,000 euros

In addition, the following amount is granted for each additional day in multi-day formats:

• <100 participants: max. 1,750 euros
• >100 participants: max. 2,500 euros

A maximum of three event days will be funded.

Module 1B:

Partial Funding

The funding rate applies to eligible costs:

• up to 80% for commercial recipients
• up to 100% for non-commercial recipients

The maximum grant amount is 100,000 euros.

Module 2:

Proportional Funding

The funding rate is a maximum of 80% of eligible costs.

• Max. 100% for non-profit enterprises and organizations without economic interests
• Max. 100% for universities and research institutions without economic activities

The maximum grant amounts are:

• 100,000 euros for feasibility studies, experimental preliminary projects, and external research and development services (Module 2A)
• 100,000 euros for projects to develop and test innovative products and solutions at a grant recipient’s site (Module 2B)
• 200,000 euros per consortium for collaborative projects (Module 2B)