The objectives of funding from the JTF are

• Tapping potential for the expansion of a resource-conserving and energy-efficient economy in the regions undergoing structural change,
• Contributing to the successful shaping of economic and social change in the JTF regions,
• Strengthening interdisciplinary and application-oriented research with a high transfer capability as a partner to industry,
• Contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
• Consolidation of the special position and strengthening of transfer-oriented research in accordance with the innovation strategy of the Free State of Saxony.

Project proposals with a focus on energy and climate should be checked for compatibility with the ERDF Energy and Climate Directive.

Equipment investments to improve the application-oriented research infrastructure

Responsibility SG 5.1 - Research Funding

If you are interested in this funding opportunity, please contact Ms. Behnke (; Tel -33772) or Mr. Wagler (; Tel: -32578)immediately.

• The scientific topics pursued with the research infrastructure must contribute to the implementation of the innovation strategy of the Free State of Saxony and be in line with it.
• Projects must be application-oriented - minimum TRL - validation under relevant operating conditions - and have transfer potential with links to economic activity in the Free State of Saxony
• the objectives pursued with the creation of the new research infrastructure must correspond to the long-term strategic plans for location development of the grant recipients in the Free State of Saxony
• the planned measures must be of particular interest to the Free State of Saxony in terms of research policy
• all follow-up costs after the end of the approval period must be borne by the applicant
• the measures to be funded must be adequately protected against flooding. The official, area-related flood risk map must be used to assess the need for flood protection
• the project must be clearly located in at least one of the following priority areas of structural change:
  • Diversification and transformation of the economy,
  • Approaches for new value chains,
  • Approaches to creating or maintaining jobs,
  • Technologies for climate neutrality

Application-oriented research and development projects

Responsibility SG 5.2 - EPC

• High scientific quality of the scientific topics
• Contribution to the implementation of the innovation strategy of the Free State of Saxony
• Projects must be application-oriented - minimum TRL - validation under relevant operating conditions - and there must be concrete prospects for use or transfer to industry
• the planned measures must be of particular interest to the Free State of Saxony in terms of research policy
• all follow-up costs after the end of the approval period must be borne by the applicant
• the project must have a transfer orientation and be clearly located in at least one of the following priority areas of structural change:
  • Diversification and transformation of the economy,
  • Approaches for new value chains,
  • Approaches for the creation or preservation of jobs,
  • Technologies for climate neutrality

• Universities pursuant to Section 1 (1) of the Saxon Higher Education Act of 31 May 2023 (SächsGVBl. p. 329), as amended, as well as research centers pursuant to Section 101 of the Saxon Higher Education Act,
• non-university research institutions institutionally funded by the federal and/or state governments with a research site in the Free State of Saxony,
• non-profit research institutions with the status of an affiliated institute in accordance with § 102 of the Saxon Higher Education Act,
• Saxon University of Cooperative Education pursuant to Section 3 of the Saxon University of Cooperative Education Act of June 9, 2017 (SächsGVBl. p. 306), which was last amended by Article 5 of the Act of May 31, 2023 (SächsGVBl. p. 329), as amended,
• University alliances pursuant to Section 97 of the Saxon Higher Education Act, whose task is research and transfer and which pursue neither a state aid-relevant nor an economic purpose.
• In accordance with Art. 11 Para. 1 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 and the current availability of funds, the JTF funds are to be used for the following regions in Saxony
  • District of Bautzen, District of Görlitz (Lusatian mining district)
  • District-free city of Chemnitz

• Joint projects of the above-mentioned institutions are possible

Project funding as partial funding in the form of a grant.

Subject to the corresponding availability of budget funds and commitment appropriations, projects with a term until June 30, 2027 can be approved.

The project start can be planned for 01.01.2025.

The funding amounts to up to 100 percent of the eligible expenditure/costs

In the districts of Bautzen and Görlitz, projects amounting to EUR 15 million will be funded for equipment investments and research projects (Part B No. 1 lit a) and b) I. ERDF/JTF Research InfraProNet 2021-2027).

For the district-free city of Chemnitz, projects amounting to approx. 12 million euros will be funded for equipment investments and research projects (Part B No. 1 lit a) and b) I. ERDF/JTF Research InfraProNet 2021-2027).

Research projects should not exceed 1.2 million euros per project.

Infrastructure investments should not exceed EUR 1.6 million per project.

Equipment investments to improve the application-oriented research infrastructure

• Expenditure on equipment, fixtures and fittings,
• expenditure on external services, provided they are directly related to the measure, necessary and appropriate.

Application-oriented research and development projects

• Personnel expenses for researchers, technicians and other personnel, insofar as they are deployed for the project.
  • Personnel expenses in accordance with TV-Ä are to be avoided, as the simplified cost option (VKO) does not provide for them (see "Other information on eligible expenses").
• Expenditure on equipment (devices, equipment, instruments),
• Expenditure for external services,
  • SAB/SMWK recommend that the proportion of external services does not exceed 20%.
  • the guideline is free of state aid: the involvement of external services to companies must be objectively and technically justified in order to show that it is not a case of hidden aid/economic promotion and that companies do not gain a competitive advantage by awarding subcontracts
  • Tendering obligation must be observed
• expenditure for the registration or acquisition of copyright laws,
• other material expenses, such as consumables (max. 20% of personnel costs,
• flat-rate overhead costs i. 25% of direct expenditure in all of the above categories with the exception of third-party services

Other notes:

Personnel expenses will be paid as costs per unit in the project. For staff remunerated in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) or the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD), settlement is based on a monthly rate in accordance with the allocation to the pay group and level, the project-related job share and the actual hours worked. Any financial shortfalls resulting from the flat-rate funding must be borne by the Chairs themselves at the latest upon completion of the project.

Personnel expenses in accordance with TV-Ä are only eligible for funding on the basis of TV-L, as they are not provided for in the simplified cost option (VKO). Personnel expenses in accordance with TV-Ä are therefore to be avoided. Financial shortfalls resulting from the flat-rate funding must be borne by the Chairs themselves at the latest upon completion of the project.

Only the additional eligible project expenses/costs that are not already covered by basic funding from the university or research institution are eligible for funding.

The project must not yet have begun. Any measure by which the applicant demonstrates its determination to carry out the project is deemed to be the start of the project. This includes, among other things, the conclusion of a contract or the receipt and payment of an invoice.

This is a two-stage application procedure.

Application-oriented research and development projects

The EPC (SG 5.2) accompanies the projects of TU Dresden in accordance with the communication of the Vice-Rector Research 2/2023 and must be involved in the application process for application-oriented research and development projects. The EPC advises on the application process, has powers of attorney for legally binding signatures vis-à-vis the SAB and has central access to the SAB's funding portal for submitting project proposals.

Equipment investments

SG 5.1 - Research Funding advises on applications for equipment investments/research infrastructure and submits applications via TU Dresden's central access to the SAB funding portal.

Please contact SG 5.1 immediately, as equipment investments usually also require coordination with Directorate 4 (Real Estate) in advance.

It is possible to resubmit project proposals that were rejected in the first call.

Application-oriented research and development projects:

Submission of the following documents by no later than 09.08.2024 by e-mail to

• SAB form project description JTF projects incl. attachments (attachments please individually as PDF) with signature of the Chair coordinating at TUD
• Calculation template EPC projects ( in Excel and PDF format)
• Information on the project proposal (in Excel format)
• Notification of third-party funding

Equipment investments:

Please contact SG 5.1 immediately, as equipment investments usually also require prior coordination with Directorate 4 (Real Estate)

Submit the following documents by email to by 09.08.2024 at the latest

• SAB form project description JTF Invest incl. attachments (please submit attachments individually as PDF) with signature of coordinating Chair
• SAB calculation template
• Details of the project proposal (in Excel format)
• Notification of third-party funding

Further procedure:

• Formal review of the project proposals received by the above-mentioned Units
• Legally binding signature of the project proposals by SG 5.1/5.2 and upload to the SAB funding portal by 23.08.2024 at the latest by SG 5.2/SG 5.1
• Review of the project proposals by a committee (Ministry/SAB)
• Invitation to submit full application by the SAB or rejection

Important note:

Project proposals that have not been signed with a legally binding signature are not eligible to submit an application.

Formal evaluation criteria

• Time frame, implementation and ratio of planned resources,
• Achievement of the technology readiness level,
• Freedom from European aid under Article 107(3) TFEU,
• Contribution to the innovation strategy RIS3 of the Free State of Saxony,
• Meaningful positioning in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG),
• Appropriate integration into the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP ),
• Balanced scientific and technical risk

Qualitative evaluation criteria

• Presentation of the objectives to be achieved,
• Strategic potential of the project for the institution,
• Scientific content and implementation,
• Transfer potential (only for projects),
• Contribution to structural change and diversification of the economy,
• Research policy interest (in particular reference to the White Paper on Research)

Projects with the potential to develop new collaborations, an inter- and transdisciplinary orientation or a European seal of excellence in research will receive a bonus point.

Guideline FRL EFRE/JTF Research InfraProNet 2021-2027

Official call for funding JTF from 28.06.2024

SAB form project description JTF projects

SAB form project description JTF Invest

SAB calculation template Invest

Calculation template EPC projects

Information on the project proposal

Territorial Just Transition Plan

White Paper Research

Innovation strategy brief overview

Innovation strategy RIS3 of the Free State of Saxony

Sustainability goals of the United Nations

Flood risk map

Examination of flood risk area based on Geoportal Saxony (instructions)

Vision and strategic goals of TU Dresden

Link Press release Stage success Excellence Strategy

Link Application Excellence Strategy "Synergy and beyond"

Announcement of third-party funding

Communication from the Vice-Rector Research 2/2023

Information on the handling of personal data

SAB fact sheet Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

Program page of the SAB