Grant · Germany

EXIST Business Start-up Grant (exist Gründungsstipendium)

A 12-month German federal stipend for students, graduates and researchers turning science-based ideas into startups, with support from their university or research institute.

Rolling applications Run by German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published Monthly stipend for 12 months: EUR 3,000 for founders with a doctorate, EUR 2,500 for graduates, EUR 2,000 for founders with a vocational qualification, EUR 1,000 for students; plus funds for materials and coaching
Instrument
Grant
Equity taken
None (equity-free)
Programme fee
not published
Duration
52 weeks
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
Idea, pre-seed
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
Germany
Perks
  • University infrastructure
  • Coaching and start-up network support

Application dates

Rolling applications

Applications are accepted at any time.

Usual timing: Applications can be made all year round; there are no fixed deadlines.

Who can apply

  • Students at least halfway through their degree, graduates and researchers up to five years after graduating or leaving the institution
  • Teams of up to three people; at least one member has a degree
  • The company must not yet be founded when funding starts
  • An innovative, knowledge-based idea with a clear unique selling point
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed

What founders should check

  1. The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It runs in person. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. Applications are accepted at any time, so there is no deadline to plan around.

Similar grants

Other grants that share a sector with EXIST Business Start-up Grant (exist Gründungsstipendium) or run in Germany.

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