Go-Bio initial

Early-stage funding for innovative life-sciences

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports the identification and development of innovative life-science research approaches with the GO-Bio initial program. The aim is to develop promising projects to the point where they can be transferred to established programs such as VIP+, EXIST-Forschungstransfer, KMU-innovativ or GO-Bio next.

Funding opportunities

GO-Bio initial funding focuses on the development of life-science commercialization ideas, particularly in the areas of

• Therapeutics
• Diagnostics
• Platform technologies
• Research tools

Ideas that are primarily related to the bioeconomy are not eligible for funding.

Who can apply?

The program is primarily aimed at people who are in a professional orientation or reorientation phase. This includes

• Master’s students
• Doctoral students
• Post-doctoral students
• Experienced professionals who wish to embark on new career paths

Private individuals are excluded from funding. Universities and non-university research institutions are eligible to apply.

Scope and procedure of funding

Exploratory phase

In the first phase, the researchers should work out an exploitation idea based on initial scientific findings, develop an implementation strategy and identify the necessary partners. This phase is primarily conceptual in nature and lasts up to 12 months. The BMBF funds individual projects with up to 100,000 euros (plus a project fee for universities). Eligible for funding are

• Project-related personnel expenses (excluding permanent staff)
• travel expenses
• Patenting costs
• Material and consumables for preliminary research (only in exceptional cases)
• Subcontracts to third parties (e.g., for analyses and consulting)

Feasibility phase

In the subsequent feasibility phase, the research teams should carry out the development work up to the “proof of principle”. This phase can last up to 24 months. The BMBF provides funding for individual and joint projects:

• Up to 500,000 euros for individual projects
• Up to 1,000,000 euros for collaborative projects (plus project allowance for universities)

The following are eligible for funding

• Project-related personnel expenses (excluding permanent staff)
• Material and consumables
• Travel expenses
• Patenting costs
• Subcontracts to third parties (e.g., for analyses, consulting, training and coaching)

Investments are only eligible for funding in justified exceptional cases.

Submission and further information

Project outlines can be submitted annually by February 15. Further information on the funding guidelines and the application offices can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.