Germany’s digital ministry opens Digital-Tech-to-Product: up to 5 million euros per project, first call closes 11 October 2026

Germany’s digital ministry opens Digital-Tech-to-Product: up to 5 million euros per project, first call closes 11 October 2026

17 September 2026 — Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation (BMDS) announced a new funding programme on 17 September 2026. It is called "Digital-Tech-to-Product", and its purpose is to turn development work in digital technologies into products that can be sold. The first call is open until 11 October 2026. It covers four areas: artificial intelligence and AI-based solutions; data ecosystems; cybersecurity and cryptography; and cloud and edge computing. The ministry says further calls will follow in the coming months.

What it funds

The programme funds product-oriented innovation projects that take a digital solution, after a successful technology demonstration in its operating environment, up to pre-commercial market readiness, Technology Readiness Level 8. Earlier-stage work after a proof of concept (roughly TRL 4 and 5) comes second but is possible in individual cases. The press release puts funding at up to 5 million euros per project.

The ministry describes the approach as "market pull instead of technology push". Projects must:

• address a concrete market or social problem;
• show a demonstrable need;
• be aimed at application and exploitation from the start;
• already have proven technical feasibility through a proof of concept;
• have a credible route to a business model and market launch.

The digital-sovereignty condition

The programme also asks applicants to make their technology stack transparent. They must explain how their approach contributes to resilience, to independence from non-European partners and to technological self-determination. Selection follows four criteria: business model and market potential, digital sovereignty, innovation, and implementation approach. Each call spells these out further.

Who can apply, and how

Start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises are the main target. They can apply for single projects or in consortia with other organisations. The procedure has two stages:

• a project outline submitted online through the federal "easy-Online" system by 11 October 2026;
• for outlines judged worth funding, an invitation to submit a full application.

Advice on the programme is provided by the ministry's project management agency, TÜV Rheinland Forschungs- und Innovationsmanagement, together with VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik. The programme page carries an FAQ for applicants.

What to do

• German software, AI, data, security and cloud companies with a working proof of concept and a product plan have under two weeks to submit an outline.
• Prepare a clear account of the technology stack and its dependencies on non-European suppliers; it is a selection criterion, not a formality.
• Firms not ready for this call should watch the programme page: the ministry says more calls with other focus areas will follow.

Sources

• Bundesministerium für Digitales und Staatsmodernisierung (BMDS): Neues Förderprogramm für digitale Technologien und Souveränität (press release) — 17 September 2026
• BMDS: Förderprogramm „Digital-Tech-to-Product“ (programme page, read 30 September 2026) — 30 September 2026