DBU General Project Funding (Projektfoerderung)

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 12:35

DBU general project funding for innovative environmental projects with relevance to Germany. Funds typically 100,000-400,000 EUR per project. Online applications accepted year-round. Also offers PhD stipends (1,600 EUR/month) in marine conservation.

Source: https://www.dbu.de/foerderung/projektfoerderung

Funding Details

Funder

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)

Funding Goal

The DBU funds solution-oriented, innovative projects for environmental protection in Germany, with particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Eleven thematic areas are covered: environmental technology, environmental research, environmental communication, and nature and cultural heritage protection. Special funding initiatives (Förderinitiativen) target specific topics such as digital tools for nature management, sustainable products, pesticide reduction, planetary health, and transformative education. The DBU also funds international projects (primarily Central and Eastern Europe/MOE) and PhD stipends in environmental sciences including marine conservation.

Funding Amount

Typical project grants EUR 100,000-400,000. Co-financing rate: 50% for companies, associations, NGOs, foundations (on cost basis); up to 100% for universities and state-funded institutions (on expenditure basis). Amounts determined individually per project. (100.000 € – 400.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

Applications accepted at any time via the online portal at dbu.de. Two-stage process recommended: (1) Submit a short project outline (Projektskizze, 3-10 pages) first via the online portal for initial assessment; (2) If the outline fits, DBU invites submission of a full application (Foerderantrag, ~20 pages). DBU provides expert advisory support throughout the process. Results communicated after each stage.

Target Region

Germany (primary). Limited international funding in Central and Eastern European (MOE) countries. Exceptional international cases possible.

Contact

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), An der Bornau 2, 49090 Osnabrueck. Contact via dbu.de/kontakt/. Multiple specialist departments handle different thematic areas.

Last Checked

2026-05-07 09:18

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must be located in Germany or (limited) in MOE countries

Project Scope

• Project must be innovative — not routine or standard environmental work
• Project must have model character (transferable to other contexts)
• Project must make a measurable contribution to environmental relief (Umweltentlastung)

Required Documents

• Submit a short project outline (3-10 pages) via dbu.de online portal as a first step
• Full application (~20 pages) submitted only after invitation by DBU following outline assessment

Constraints

• Project must not have already started before the application is submitted
• Co-financing required: 50% own contribution for companies/NGOs; up to 100% coverage for universities

Summary

The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (German Federal Environmental Foundation, DBU) is one of Europe's largest environmental foundations, established in 1990 by the German Federal Government and headquartered in Osnabrueck, Germany. It funds solution-oriented, innovative, and model-character projects for environmental protection with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Thematic scope encompasses 11 thematic areas: sustainable products and production, energy, construction, agriculture and food, natural resource conservation, water, education and communication, cultural heritage, biodiversity/nature conservation, and thematic open grants. Special funding initiatives target priority topics including digital nature management, planetary health, pesticide reduction, sustainability journalism, and transformative education. The DBU also co-finances PhD stipends in environmental sciences including marine conservation topics. Eligible activities include applied research, technology development, demonstration and pilot projects, knowledge transfer, and communication of environmental solutions. Projects must be innovative (not routine), have model character (transferable to other contexts), and generate measurable environmental benefit. Pure investment projects, compliance-only activities, already-started projects, and purely commercial market launch activities are excluded. Geographic scope is primarily Germany. The DBU also funds a limited portfolio of international projects in Central and Eastern European countries (MOE). Exceptional international projects outside MOE are possible in individual cases. Eligible applicants include companies (particularly SMEs), NGOs, associations, foundations, universities, research institutions, and private persons. Co-financing rates differ: 50% for companies/NGOs (on cost basis); up to 100% for universities and state-funded institutions (on expenditure basis). Typical project grants range from EUR 100,000 to EUR 400,000. Applications are accepted at any time via the DBU online portal using a two-stage process: project outline (Projektskizze) followed by full application (Foerderantrag). DBU provides expert advisory support from outline stage to project conclusion.

Historical Context

DBU was founded in 1990 by the German Federal Government as a foundation under civil law (Stiftung buergerlichen Rechts). It began funding activities in 1991. Updated funding guidelines were issued in 2004 and subsequently. DBU has funded thousands of projects since inception and is one of Europe's largest environmental foundations.

Why it was added

DBU general project funding beyond the dedicated marine fund. Broader scope but highly relevant for innovative marine conservation and sustainable aquaculture projects.

Sources

• https://www.dbu.de/foerderung/projektfoerderung

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