Veranstaltungen & Messen - vdma.eu

Research and innovation are crucial factors for the competitiveness of the mechanical and plant engineering sector. The funding landscape for research and innovation is diverse – ranging from direct grants and collaborative projects to tax incentives. For companies, selecting the right funding instruments and using them successfully is often a challenge.

This event provides an overview of the most important research funding instruments in mechanical and plant engineering and offers space for exchanging practical experiences in application and implementation. The focus will be on two key funding paths:

• Collaborative/Project Funding: This enables joint research and development projects between companies and research institutions. Funding programmes such as the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) or “KMU-innovativ: Future of Value Creation” support research and innovation projects – from developing new products and processes to digital business models. The emphasis is on collaboration within consortia to leverage synergies between industry and science.
• Research Allowance: As a tax-based funding instrument with a legal entitlement, it is a low-threshold tool to support in-house research and development activities. Thanks to its thematic and technological openness, straightforward application process and high success rates, the research allowance has become the No. 1 funding instrument in mechanical and plant engineering.

The event is aimed at specialists and managers from the fields of innovation and research.

Moderator: Martin Strauch
Registration deadline: 11 February 2026

A few days before the event, registered participants will receive a confirmation and technical details for the online tool, including a dial-in link.

If you are unable to attend despite registering, please let us know briefly.

Participation in the event is free of charge.

Organizer

The event is offered by ProduktionNRW. ProduktionNRW is the cluster for mechanical engineering and production technology in North Rhine-Westphalia and is managed by VDMA NRW. ProduktionNRW serves as a platform to connect companies, institutions and networks along the value chain, to share information and promote visibility. Essential parts of ProduktionNRW’s services are funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.