Expertenthemenbeschreibung Industrial collective research

Industrial collective research

Innovation platform for SMEs

Photo
Shutterstock

Industrial Collective Research (IGF) serves as a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. Being a thematically open and industry-driven program, IGF represents an important building block in pre-competitive research for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

This collaborative research strengthens the combined expertise of all competitors and thus improves the overall global standing of German businesses.

Photo

Shutterstock

MidiJumpmarks

Aktuelle Fragen zum Thema

RecommendedTIPP
  • Machine Learning
Shutterstock
In the joint research project "Intelligent and self-learning production processes", VDMA members have been working with scientists to investigate how machines and plants can teach themselves the optimum processes independently and by interacting with their environment, using only a small amount of data.
Shutterstock

Aus unseren Inhalten

Aus unseren Inhalten
NRW Innovation Award 2026: Application phase started!

To mark the 50th anniversary of the "International Year of Women", the competition is aimed exclusively at female innovators for the first time.

More money for maritime research and shipbuilding

The 2026 federal budget will provide more research funding for the maritime industry in order to secure the high-tech role of German shipyards.

Förderzentrale Deutschland (FZD) launched

ZIM research grants can now be submitted via the new Förderzentrale Deutschland

Focus on research funding

The event highlighted central funding programs at federal level and showed how companies can receive targeted support for innovation projects.

Member information "Water and wastewater technology marketplace"

Exclusively for members, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology provides a new information service with its publication "Marketplace Water and Wastewater Technology".

Cross-border cooperation leads to innovation

Three new projects within the framework of Manufacturing NextMaterials demonstrate how cross-border cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands supports SMEs in scaling innovative materials and technologies.

ProductionNRW networks at the Innovation Congress

The NRW Innovation Congress brings together stakeholders from business, science, politics, and funding networks to network and exchange ideas on current topics relating to innovation.

Research allowance - secure funding!

The effort involved in applying? Feasible! Do you have any questions? Then take advantage of our monthly online introduction and Q&A session on tax-incentivized research funding.

New event series "From the idea to funding"

Exclusive series of events for research and innovation in mechanical and plant engineering. Find out which funding instruments and programs you can use for your research and innovation projects.

Fifth INTERREG Meuse-Rhine call for projects launched

New INTERREG call: Over 38 million euros in EU funding for cross-border projects in NRW, Belgium and the Netherlands - focus on green transformation and future topics.

Start of the second round of "Circular Production NRW"

The "Circular Production NRW" (ZiPo.NRW) funding call is entering the next round: applications can now be submitted until December 15, 2025.

New research reports of the FKT

VDMA Textile Machinery provides the results of the Industrial Collective Research (IGF) of the Textile Research Board (FKT).

Machinery industry relies on Germany as a center for research

The majority of German machinery and equipment manufacturing research is conducted in Germany. Companies are keeping their research budgets high. However, there are threatening dependencies in key technologies.

"EU funding programmes must strengthen the technological base"

The budget of the EU research program Horizon Europe has almost doubled - a positive signal. However, horizontal key technologies such as robotics, industrial AI and production technologies must be given greater consideration.

Law for an immediate tax investment program

The bill presented by the Federal Government for an immediate tax program to strengthen Germany as a business location has also been passed by the Bundesrat. The following now applies:

ZENIT launches 12th call for entries for 2025/2026 Innovation Award

Innovative solutions for digitalized processes or business models by and for SMEs in NRW.

Scientific cooperation to strengthen Germany as a center of innovation

Scientific collaborations are of added value for Germany as a center of innovation. However, strategic knowledge management is needed. Also in terms of technological sovereignty.

KMU-innovativ: Opportunities for research-intensive SMEs

KMU-innovativ supports research-intensive SMEs in the mechanical engineering sector in the development of innovative technologies. Funding is provided for innovative projects and economic potential - also in cooperation with research partners.

Facts and figures: Research and innovation

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Three components for innovation: German research funding opportunities

Whether research tax allowance, IGF or project funding - national programs support companies in turning ideas into innovations, reducing risks, strengthening cooperation and putting knowledge into practice.

North Rhine-Westphalia soon to have 15 clusters of excellence

North Rhine-Westphalia has strengthened its leading position in the selection of Clusters of Excellence for the upcoming funding period from 2026.

"The right incentives for investment - implement them quickly now!"

The federal government's planned immediate tax investment program sends important signals to the economy. The improvement in the research allowance in particular is good news.

NRW.BANK.Invest Future

New NRW.BANK development program for SMEs with up to 20 percent repayment discount

Asset Publisher

Weitere VDMA Leistungen

Weitere VDMA Leistungen
Collection I4.0 research at German research institutes
The collection offers an overview of the German research landscape in the field of Industry 4.0. In the new edition 2019, around 40 universities and institutes present their current projects.
Overview of research institutions for Artificial Intelligence
The Learning Systems Platform, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in cooperation with the BMWK, provides an overview of research institutions in the field of artificial intelligence.

More expert and focus topics

More expert and focus topics
Corporate Foresight
Corporate Foresight means conducting futurology from a corporate perspective in order to „manage“ the future. It is a vision-building process which complements classical innovation management and prepares for all kinds of change – achieving resilience no matter what kind of trend or forecast will become real.
Research Funding
In order to support long-term and future-oriented research and development, innovative projects are granted financial backing. In addition to collaborative and joint research, companies may also benefit from tax-based research funding.
Innovation and transfer networks
Research, innovation and transfer networks allow us to reach a broad range of companies with offers suited for practical application. Key success factors include networking and maintaining a dialog with the parties involved, consolidating a wide range of competencies and quickly transferring research results to companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

Asset Publisher

VDMA partners

Photo
Forschungskuratorium Maschinenbau e.V.
Photo
Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e.V.
Photo
Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft für Automatisierung und Mikroelektronik e.V.

Level 2 Minimal Contact Display

Your contact

Photo