HRI - Hannover Region Innovative

The Hannover Region’s “Hannover Region Innovativ” funding program provides grants of up to 10,000 euros to support research and development projects in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Frau mit Schutzbrille im Labor. — Hanover Region Innovative

Imagine that your ambitious research and development project idea gains traction at the state, federal, or European level. Sounds good?

Through the “HRI – Hannover Region Innovativ” funding program, we give SMEs in the Hannover region the opportunity to advance this idea in collaboration with a regional partner from the research or business sectors.

Are you a local SME with an ambitious R&D project idea that you’d like to develop further in collaboration with a regional partner—another company (fewer than 1,000 employees) or a scientific or research institution?
Do you want to explore the possibilities for a potential future application to a technology-oriented R&D funding program at the state, federal, or EU level?

If any of these points apply and your idea features a promising technological approach, but you lack the resources needed to take the necessary steps, you should contact us.

The“HRI – Hannover Region Innovativ”funding program was launched by the Hannover Region to support effective technology transfer among stakeholders based in the Hannover Region. Funding under these guidelines is intended to facilitate joint exploration of feasibility and risk assessment, and to serve as a foundation for enabling potential future project implementation.

For further details, please refer to the guidelines published here.

FAQ HRI – Hannover Region Innovativ

What is the HRI funding program?

The Hannover Region Innovativ (HRI) funding program supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in preparing research and development (R&D) projects. The goal is to further develop innovative project ideas and lay the groundwork for larger funding projects at the state, federal, or EU level.

Who can apply for funding?

Eligible applicants are:

SMEs based in the Hanover region
Companies with fewer than 1,000 employees

Research institutions or universities in cooperation with an SME

What is the goal of the funding?

The program has several objectives:

Promotion of technology transfer between industry and research
Strengthening the innovative capacity of SMEs
Support for getting started on larger R&D projects
Improving competitiveness in future markets

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Funding is provided for preparatory measures for planned technology and R&D projects, in particular:

Preliminary studies, tests, and technical feasibility studies
Analysis of market potential
Assessment of technical and economic risks
Review of intellectual property rights
Planning of necessary R&D work

How much funding is available?

Funding is available for up to 10,000 euros per project. The required contribution is 0% for research institutions and 50% for companies.

How does the application process work?

Applications are submitted online
Project proposal is submitted and reviewed
Details are described in the official funding guidelines

HRI Funding Guidelines (download)

How long does a funded project last?

Funded projects must generally be completed within six months of approval.

Is collaboration with partners required?

Yes, a key element is collaboration with a regional partner (i.e., within the Hannover region), for example:

Companies
Universities
Research institutions

This collaboration facilitates effective knowledge and technology transfer.

For which companies is the program particularly suitable?

The program is aimed specifically at companies:

with innovative, technological ideas
with limited resources for initial development steps
that want to assess whether their idea is eligible for funding

What are typical use cases?

Typical areas of application include:

Feasibility studies for new technologies
Preparation of innovation projects
Development of new products, processes, or services
Establishing collaborations with research partners

What benefits does the funding offer?

Companies benefit from:

Financial support in the early stages of innovation
Reduction of development risks
Access to scientific expertise
Preparation for larger funding programs

What long-term prospects does HRI offer?

The funding serves as a starting point to:

Fleshing out projects
Assessing chances of success
Facilitating follow-up funding (e.g., at the EU level)

What is the program’s key added value?

The greatest added value lies in the early support of innovative ideas: Companies can minimize risks and make informed decisions before making larger investments.