Sectors
Innovative, technology-oriented sectors, provided the project significantly contributes to the development, application, or scaling of key technologies.

The following technology fields are particularly eligible for funding:

• Advanced materials, including nanotechnology
• Artificial intelligence, big data, and digital and information technologies
• Quantum technology and photonics
• Advanced microelectronics and semiconductor technologies
• Next-generation production technologies, robotics and advanced sensor technologies
• Life sciences technologies
• Technologies for energy generation, conversion, and storage
• Sustainable technologies focusing on circular economy, building innovations and resource management (e.g., waste and water management)

Company Size
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises according to the EU definition, i.e.:

• Employees: < 250
• Turnover: < EUR 50 million
• Balance sheet total: < EUR 43 million

Development Stage
All business stages

Requirements

• The applicant must be a legal entity (partnership or corporation)
• The business location must be in Austria
• All other formal and substantive criteria must be met (see program document, section 3)

Success Rate
75% – depending on how well the formal and substantive criteria are met
 

Details: Program Document (DE)

aws supports companies in developing and implementing their innovation protection strategy. As part of the funding project, the company works together with aws experts to develop effective innovation protection measures. The implementation of these measures is financially supported through grants (see eligible costs below). The accompanying aws coaching is 100% funded and therefore free of charge for recipients.

Eligible Costs

• Acquisition of intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, designs) in all countries worldwide: all costs related to obtaining IP rights up to the point of grant (official fees, patent attorney services, translations)
• Training measures for IP management: e.g., costs for attending relevant courses or training programs
• External consulting services for implementing innovation protection measures: e.g., costs for patent searches, patent evaluations for licensing, drafting of license agreements, etc.
• Patent transfer (licensing, purchase): upfront or milestone payments
• Defense and enforcement of existing IP rights: e.g., costs for legal enforcement actions

The maximum eligible costs per project are EUR 150,000.

Funding Amount

• Grant of up to EUR 75,000
• Funding rate: up to 50% of eligible costs (lower rate for transfer costs up to 45%, higher rate for training costs up to 70%)

Project term
Maximum of 3 years

Disbursement
As soon as you submit invoices for services already rendered by third parties

Repayment
Non-repayable

Costs
None

• Costs incurred before the application date or the contractually agreed project start
• Costs not directly and actually incurred during the duration of the funded project
• Costs that are not essential for the successful completion of the project and achievement of its objectives
• Costs that are not considered eligible under EU competition law regulations
• Costs already covered by other funding programs
• Formation of reserves and provisions
• Value-added tax (VAT)
• Personnel costs
• Overhead costs
• Travel expenses, unless they are related to training support
• Costs for external consultants, if they involve ongoing routine consulting or marketing activities
• Court costs and any reimbursement of costs to opposing parties in connection with IP infringement proceedings
• Ongoing sales-dependent license fees (based on revenue, units sold, etc.)
• Invoice amounts under EUR 50 excluding VAT, although similar recurring payments to the same supplier within one year may be aggregated to exceed this amount

Application date
At any time

Application and Approval Process

1. You apply for aws Innovation Protection via the aws Funding Manager.
2. Applications involving grants are reviewed and decided upon by an independent jury.
3. We will inform you of our decision as quickly as possible in any case.

Approval Duration

• Funding (coaching and grant):
  Jury decisions are made approximately every 3 months.