DBU General Project Funding - Environmental Protection

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-11 11:09

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) funds innovative solution-oriented projects for environmental protection including circular economy, recycling and waste reduction. Open to SMEs and research institutions. Over 11,300 projects funded with approx. 2.12 billion EUR since 1991. Project proposals accepted on rolling basis.

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

Funding Details

Funder

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)

Funding Goal

Fund innovative, solution-oriented, and model-character projects for environmental protection, focusing on environmental technology, research, communication, nature conservation, and cultural heritage protection — with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Funding Amount

Up to 50% of project costs for companies, associations, foundations, and NGOs; up to 100% for universities and publicly funded institutions. Amount determined individually per project.

Deadline

Rolling (Rolling)

How to Apply

1. Submit a project outline (Projektskizze, 3–10 pages) via the DBU online portal for initial assessment. 2. If positively evaluated, submit a full funding application (~20 pages). 3. DBU may commission external expert reviews. 4. Upon approval, accept grant conditions and submit a signed acceptance form. 5. Submit interim reports and a final report within 3 months of project completion.

Target Region

Germany (primary); Central and Eastern Europe (limited international funding); exceptional cases beyond MOE region

Contact

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) — Contact page: https://www.dbu.de/kontakt/ | Online application portal: https://www.dbu.de/foerderung/projektfoerderung/foerderung-beantragen/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:16

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant is an SME, NGO, association, foundation, university, research institution, or other eligible entity — not a purely public-sector body seeking institutional funding
• Project is located in Germany or (with limitations) in Central/Eastern Europe — projects in Africa or Southeast Asia are generally not eligible

Project Scope

• Project is innovative, has model character, and contributes concretely to environmental protection — not basic research only, not market launch of existing products
• Project falls under one of DBU's 11 defined funding themes (e.g., resources, nature conservation, water, sustainable products) or the open-theme category

Required Documents

• Submit a project outline (Projektskizze) of 3–10 pages via the DBU online portal as a first step — full application is only submitted upon DBU invitation
• Full funding application (~20 pages) must follow the structure outlined in DBU's 'Hinweise zur Antragstellung' guidance document

Constraints

• Project must not have been started before the funding decision — already-running projects are excluded
• No funding for projects that only fulfill mandatory legal requirements, are pure investment measures, or consist exclusively of monitoring or printing/travel cost subsidies

Summary

The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) is one of Europe's largest environmental foundations, established in 1990 by the German federal government. Its general project funding program supports innovative, solution-oriented environmental protection projects across 11 defined thematic areas plus an open-theme category. Since 1991, the DBU has funded over 11,300 projects with approximately 2.12 billion EUR in total grants. Eligible applicants include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, universities, NGOs, associations, foundations, and private individuals. The program is primarily focused on Germany, with limited international funding available — mainly in Central and (South-)Eastern European (MOE) countries, with exceptional cases beyond that region. Projects must demonstrate innovation, model character, practical relevance, and a meaningful contribution to environmental relief. The application process is two-staged: applicants first submit a short project outline (3–10 pages) for initial assessment, followed by a full funding application (~20 pages) if the outline is positively evaluated. Proposals can be submitted at any time on a rolling basis. Funding covers up to 50% of project costs for companies, associations, and foundations (on a cost basis), and up to 100% of expenditures for universities and publicly funded institutions (on an expenditure basis). Excluded from funding are projects that fulfill mandatory legal duties, have no implementation perspective, consist solely of basic research or market introduction of finished products, or do not meet EU state aid law. The DBU provides hands-on advisory support throughout the entire application and project lifecycle, including communications support for exemplary projects.

Historical Context

The DBU was founded in 1990 and began grant-making in 1991. Funding guidelines were revised in 1998 and 2004, with a comprehensive update following a major evaluation. As of the page content, over 11,300 projects have been funded with approximately 2.12 billion EUR since 1991.

Why it was added

German/EU foundation CE/plastic program

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