Research, Innovation & Technology - vdma.eu

The 2026 federal budget will provide more research funding for the maritime industry in order to secure the high-tech role of German shipyards.

ZIM research grants can now be submitted via the new Förderzentrale Deutschland

New materials and substances are among the biggest innovation levers in mechanical and plant engineering. But which developments are relevant and what influence will they have on tomorrow's value creation?

The event highlighted central funding programs at federal level and showed how companies can receive targeted support for innovation projects.

In the future, robots with a human resemblance could perform many tasks for which automation has not yet been worthwhile. Humanoid robots are being tested in more and more applications - but the road to market maturity is still a long one.

Who is driving the future of mechanical engineering? What characterizes real innovation? At the Startup Award Mechanical Engineering Summit, young technology companies show how progress is made in our industry.

At the OWL Maschinenbau-Kongress 2025 in Detmold, experts and executives discussed key future topics such as demographics, decarbonization, and cultural change as strategic levers for plant engineering.

Exclusively for members, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology provides a new information service with its publication "Marketplace Water and Wastewater Technology".

Three new projects within the framework of Manufacturing NextMaterials demonstrate how cross-border cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands supports SMEs in scaling innovative materials and technologies.

The NRW Innovation Congress brings together stakeholders from business, science, politics, and funding networks to network and exchange ideas on current topics relating to innovation.

The startup VibroCut can look back on a very successful participation in the EMO Startup Area 2025. The company was already represented in 2023 - this year, however, the response was once again significantly increased.

FACTUREE celebrated its debut at the EMO Startup Area 2025, resulting in a successful appearance with numerous valuable contacts and plenty of tailwind for the future.

Five days full of entrepreneurial spirit, innovations and new contacts: From September 22 to 26, 2025, over 50 international startups at EMO Hannover showed that the world of production technology is on the move.

The final of the Startup Award 2025 was a highlight of the 15th German Mechanical Engineering Summit in Berlin. Three outstanding startups presented their innovations live on stage - in the end the audience decided and the victory went to RESONIKS.

The expert audience has made its decision: with its acoustic AI solution that detects even the smallest defects in metals, the Dutch startup RESONIKS prevailed over two other finalists in the live vote for the Startup Award.

The Research association IFL (Intralogistik / Fördertechnik und Logistiksysteme e.V.) has made important personnel changes for the future at its 22nd general meeting.

The effort involved in applying? Feasible! Do you have any questions? Then take advantage of our monthly online introduction and Q&A session on tax-incentivized research funding.

Exclusive series of events for research and innovation in mechanical and plant engineering. Find out which funding instruments and programs you can use for your research and innovation projects.

Fresh ideas, smart solutions and strong networks emerge in the Startup Area at EMO 2025

The VDMA Startup-Machine is launching its own eNewsletter! From now on, we will inform you quarterly about exciting topics from our network, current trends and participation opportunities.

New INTERREG call: Over 38 million euros in EU funding for cross-border projects in NRW, Belgium and the Netherlands - focus on green transformation and future topics.

The "Circular Production NRW" (ZiPo.NRW) funding call is entering the next round: applications can now be submitted until December 15, 2025.

In the EMO Startup Area from September 22 to 26, 2025, startups presented new platform models and digital services for smart workflows and future-oriented business processes. Find out more about the exhibiting startups!

VDMA Textile Machinery provides the results of the Industrial Collective Research (IGF) of the Textile Research Board (FKT).

In the EMO Startup Area, startups presented solutions for Smart Factory & Digital Enablement from September 22 to 26, 2025. The focus: AI, IoT, process digitalization and cybersecurity. Find out more about the exhibiting startups!

In the EMO Startup Area from September 22 - 26, 2025, startups presented new components, production processes and machine solutions that make manufacturing more efficient and competitive. Find out more about the exhibiting startups!

Metubiq will be presenting its technology for vibration-insensitive 3D surface measurement for the first time in the EMO Startup Area 2025. The young startup is using the trade fair to attract partners and discuss use cases directly with the industry.

The majority of German machinery and equipment manufacturing research is conducted in Germany. Companies are keeping their research budgets high. However, there are threatening dependencies in key technologies.

The budget of the EU research program Horizon Europe has almost doubled - a positive signal. However, horizontal key technologies such as robotics, industrial AI and production technologies must be given greater consideration.

The bill presented by the Federal Government for an immediate tax program to strengthen Germany as a business location has also been passed by the Bundesrat. The following now applies:

Innovative solutions for digitalized processes or business models by and for SMEs in NRW.

Scientific collaborations are of added value for Germany as a center of innovation. However, strategic knowledge management is needed. Also in terms of technological sovereignty.

KMU-innovativ supports research-intensive SMEs in the mechanical engineering sector in the development of innovative technologies. Funding is provided for innovative projects and economic potential - also in cooperation with research partners.

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Whether research tax allowance, IGF or project funding - national programs support companies in turning ideas into innovations, reducing risks, strengthening cooperation and putting knowledge into practice.

North Rhine-Westphalia has strengthened its leading position in the selection of Clusters of Excellence for the upcoming funding period from 2026.

Innovative solutions, smart technologies and international networking for the wood industry - a review of a successful second edition of LIGNA.FutureSquare 2025.

The federal government's planned immediate tax investment program sends important signals to the economy. The improvement in the research allowance in particular is good news.

It is right to combine the topic of startups and scaleups with an EU strategy. After all, startups drive Europe's innovative strength and future viability.

Around 55 specialists and managers from the fields of innovation, development, strategy and foresight accepted the invitation to the VDMA Corporate Foresight Spring Conference on May 14 and 15, 2025 at KSB SE & Co. KGaA in Frankenthal.

Shaping the future with startup power: 48 promising startups presented themselves at bauma 2025, setting new impulses for the construction machinery industry with their fresh ideas and technologies.

International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) 16th Edition. Record year 2024: 703 GW PV module shipment. TOPCon-Technology overcomes PERC dominance. Release of new interactive digital ITRPV product.

Strategic impetus for North Rhine-Westphalia's innovation and competitiveness

New NRW.BANK development program for SMEs with up to 20 percent repayment discount

PV Pilot Project: Competitiveness of European/German Photovoltaic Equipment Manufacturers

VDMA Services GmbH study on European and German manufacturers of solar production equipment and side event on May 6 at Intersolar Europe 2025.

The 16th edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) and the presentation of the Roadmap's new exclusive digital product at the side event on May 8, 2025 at Intersolar Europe 2025.

The Startup Area @ LIGNA.FutureSquare went into the next round. From May 26 to 30, 2025, 14 startups from four countries presented their pioneering solutions for the industry at LIGNA, the world's leading trade fair for woodworking and wood processing.

To ensure the competitiveness of the mechanical and plant engineering industry, the VDMA is calling for reliable economic framework conditions. A strong industry means a strong economy.

Under the title "Towards Autonomous Robot Collectives Delivering Collaborative Tasks in Dynamic, Unstructured Construction Environments", the EIC is looking for pioneering technologies for the use of autonomous robotic collectives in the construction industry.