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Programme to Support Applied Environmental Technologies (PFAU)

The Programme to Support Applied Environmental Technologies (PFAU) assists collaborative projects involving both companies and scientific institutions to develop, design and test innovative products, processes and services with a positive environmental impact.

The projects should particularly aim to generate environmental technologies which are integrated into the production process, as well as to ensure a sparing use of materials and energy, the avoidance or reduction of emissions, waste, effluent, and the re-use of the materials used.

The funding is intended to alleviate the high level of technical and commercial risk involved in such projects and to enhance the competitiveness of the company applying for the help. At the same time, the aim is to foster co-operation between scientific institutions and Bremen-based firms, with both sides benefiting from the results of the project.

Various strands eligible for assistance

The assistance available under the Programme to Support Applied Environmental Technologies (PFAU) distinguishes between three strands:

Information on the collaborative projects strand

  • Purpose:
    New products, processes or services with a positive environmental impact.
  • Funding towards:
    Staff costs, costs of scientific partners, costs of test rig, cost of materials, contracts issued to third parties.
  • Eligibility requirements:
    Companies in trade and industry and service providers with headquarters or a permanent establishment in the State of Bremen, especially SMEs.
  • Intervention rate:
    Up to 50 % of the company’s eligible costs,
    up to 80 % of the eligible costs of the scientific partner, but a maximum of 75 % for the entire project.
  • Assistance in absolute terms:
    Max. €200,000.

Information about the pilot projects strand

  • Purpose:
    New products, processes or services with a positive environmental impact.
  • Funding towards:
    Staff costs, costs of pilot facilities, cost of materials, contracts issued to third parties.
  • Eligibility requirements:
    Companies in trade and industry and service providers with headquarters or a permanent establishment in the State of Bremen, especially SMEs.
  • [FETTIntervention rate:]
    Up to 50 % of the eligible costs.
  • Assistance in absolute terms:
    Max. €150,000,
    in the case of co-operative projects: max. €200,000.

Information on the market development strand

  • Purpose:
    Market launch of new products, processes or services with a positive environmental impact.
  • Funding towards:
    Market analyses, advertising strategies, advertising tools, patent and licensing advice, participation at trade fairs, translations.
  • Eligibility requirements:
    Companies in trade and industry and service providers with headquarters or a permanent establishment in the State of Bremen, especially SMEs.
  • Intervention rate:
    Up to 50 % of the eligible costs.
  • Assistance in absolute terms
    Max. €50,000.
Area of impact: Place of implementation Total project volume (ERDF Programme): of which public-sector funding: of which ERDF funding:
State of BremenState of Bremen10.008.481 € 4.557.741 €4.530.250 €[
  • Contact:

    BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung und Stadtentwicklung mbH

    Am Alten Hafen 118
    27568 Bremerhaven

  • Contact:

    WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen

    Kontorhaus am Markt
    Langenstraße 2-4
    28195 Bremen