WIPANO (Wissenstransfer durch Patente und Normen: knowledge transfer via patents and standards) is the successor to SIGNO, and has been running since January. According to the new guidelines, universities, non-university research facilities and small to medium-sized companies can apply for funding in three areas:
- Evaluation, patenting and exploitation services through external providers (fixed fee) and proportional patenting cost reimbursement
- Development of inventions
- Standardization
New compared to the previous programme is that applicants no longer have to commit to just one external partner. They can choose the partner best able to support them for each particular project – for example, on the basis of their ability to provide specific knowledge, experience or networks.
The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has provided a total of EUR 23 million for the programme. The guidelines apply until 31 December 2019. There are no fixed deadlines – applications can be submitted at any time.
Could this funding programme be of interest to your institution?
- Information on the guidelines (in German only)
- Contact us!
- Contact the BMWi: Referat VI D 1, 11019 Berlin