As part of Germany's national high-tech strategy, this initiative by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research fosters interdisciplinary research in the field of materials technology, including for example materials-based product and process innovation.

Funding depends on the following R&D categories:

• Up to 100 % for fundamental research
• Up to 50 % for industrial research
• Up to 25 % for experimental development
• Up to 50 % for feasibility studies