New call for proposals: digital technologies for the circular economy

The new call for proposals focuses on joint projects from industry and science, especially in SMEs and from the reservoir of ideas of start-ups. However, the competition is open to all industries and digital technologies. The goals focus on developing and testing new digital technologies, for example AI systems, digital twins, data platforms, and digital product passports.

Furthermore, approaches are promoted that reduce primary raw material consumption and extend product life cycles. Dr. Stefanie Kunkel from RIFS at the GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam explains:

"Insights into how the circular economy can succeed and what role digitisation plays in this are central, among other things, to reducing resource consumption and waste generation. An important field of research in the circular economy is also design that avoids rebound in the circular economy: Higher efficiency often leads to higher demand (rebound effect), which counteracts the effect of saving resources. For this, we must offset this with sufficiency incentives in the circular economy by, for example, specifically answering the question: How much is enough?"

Projects that enable closed material and information cycles are also supported. The total amount of funding – subject to available budget – is up to 20 million euros.

The deadline for submitting project outlines is 12:00 pm on 24 March 2025. Afterwards, the projects are selected competitively in a multi-stage process.

The call for proposals offers companies and research institutions the opportunity to develop digital innovations into drivers for sustainable business and to shape the future of "Made in Germany". Dr. Elena Aminova from the accompanying research of the GreenTech Innovation Competition also emphasises this perspective on the occasion of the publication of the new call for proposals:

"As a part of the accompanying research to the first call for proposals for the "GreenTech Innovation Competition", we are particularly pleased that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection continues to significant intensive support for GreenTech technologies. In these volatile times, this is a sign that sustainable digital solutions are important for the circular economy, that they can be used as a lever to enable the path towards the sustainable transformation of companies and processes. This call for proposals thus provides a strong impetus for building a real circular economy in Germany."

For more information, see here.