# Common Requirements Across All Funding Programs

## Overview
This document identifies the **most common documents and requirements** needed across all funding programs suitable for Berlin-based companies. Use this as a preparation checklist for multiple applications.

## 📋 MOST COMMON REQUIREMENTS (Across All Programs)

### 1. Company Registration Documents ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (100%)
**Required by**: All programs
- German company registration documents
- Proof of permanent establishment in Germany (Berlin address)
- Company registration certificate
- Business registration number

**Preparation**: 
- Ensure company is registered in Germany
- Have registration documents ready in digital format
- Verify Berlin address is current on registration

---

### 2. Project Description ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (100%)
**Required by**: All programs
- Technical innovation details
- Clear description of the innovation
- Project scope and objectives
- How the project addresses circular economy/industrial symbiosis

**Preparation**:
- Write comprehensive project description (2-5 pages)
- Emphasize innovation component
- Connect to circular economy/industrial symbiosis
- Include technical details and approach

---

### 3. Budget Breakdown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (100%)
**Required by**: All programs
- Detailed budget breakdown
- Project cost breakdown
- Funding request amount
- Cost allocation by work package/activity

**Preparation**:
- Create detailed Excel budget template
- Break down by categories: personnel, equipment, subcontracting, travel, etc.
- Calculate total project costs
- Identify co-funding requirements

---

### 4. CVs of Key Team Members ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (100%)
**Required by**: All programs
- CVs of project team members
- Key personnel qualifications
- Team experience and expertise

**Preparation**:
- Update all team member CVs
- Format consistently (EU format preferred)
- Highlight relevant experience (circular economy, innovation, industrial symbiosis)
- Include publications, patents, previous projects

---

### 5. Market Analysis ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (86%)
**Required by**: Most programs (EIC, Horizon Europe, EIT, Startup Chile, etc.
- Market opportunity analysis
- Competitive analysis
- Target market size
- Market validation
- Commercialization plan

**Preparation**:
- Conduct market research
- Analyze competitors
- Size target market
- Validate market need
- Prepare commercialization strategy

---

### 6. Business Plan ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (86%)
**Required by**: Most programs (especially EIC Accelerator, Startup Chile, Berlin Innovative)
- Comprehensive business plan
- Business model description
- Revenue model
- Growth strategy
- Financial projections

**Preparation**:
- Write comprehensive business plan (10-20 pages)
- Include business model canvas
- Financial projections (3-5 years)
- Growth and scaling strategy
- Market entry strategy

---

### 7. Project Timeline and Milestones ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (86%)
**Required by**: Most programs
- Project timeline
- Key milestones
- Deliverables schedule
- Work package timeline

**Preparation**:
- Create Gantt chart or timeline
- Define clear milestones (Month 1, 3, 6, 12, etc.)
- List deliverables for each milestone
- Include dependencies and critical path

---

### 8. Innovation Documentation ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (86%)
**Required by**: Most programs
- Technical innovation details
- Proof of innovation (patents, prototypes)
- Innovation novelty demonstration
- Technical risk assessment
- Technology readiness level (TRL)

**Preparation**:
- Document all innovations
- File patents if applicable
- Create proof of concept/prototype
- Determine TRL level (usually 5-8 for funding)
- Demonstrate technical novelty

---

### 9. Partnership/Consortium Agreements ⭐⭐⭐ (57%)
**Required by**: Collaborative programs (Horizon Europe, CBE JU, some EIT programs)
- Consortium agreement (for collaborative projects)
- Partnership agreements
- Letters of intent from partners
- Research partner agreements
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

**Preparation**:
- Identify potential partners (if needed for collaborative programs)
- Establish partnership agreements
- Get letters of support/intent
- For EU programs: find partners from different EU countries

---

### 10. Financial Statements/Projections ⭐⭐⭐ (43%)
**Required by**: Some programs (Berlin Innovative, EIC Accelerator, Startup Chile)
- Financial statements (past 2-3 years)
- Financial projections (3-5 years)
- Revenue projections
- Cash flow projections
- Balance sheet projections

**Preparation**:
- Prepare financial statements (if existing company)
- Create financial projections
- Include revenue model
- Show path to profitability
- Demonstrate financial viability

---

### 11. Proof of Concept/Prototype ⭐⭐⭐ (43%)
**Required by**: Some programs (EIC Accelerator, Startup Chile, EIT)
- Prototype demonstration
- Proof of concept results
- Preliminary test results
- Technology validation
- Working demo/video

**Preparation**:
- Develop prototype/MVP
- Test and validate concept
- Document test results
- Create demo video (if possible)
- Gather user feedback/testimonials

---

### 12. Environmental Impact Assessment ⭐⭐ (29%)
**Required by**: Environmental programs (DBU, some EIT programs)
- Environmental benefits description
- Circular economy impact
- Emissions reduction potential
- Waste reduction quantification
- Sustainability metrics

**Preparation**:
- Quantify environmental benefits
- Calculate CO2 emissions reduction
- Measure waste reduction/reuse
- Define sustainability KPIs
- Prepare impact assessment report

---

## 🎯 TOP PRIORITY PREPARATION (Prepare These First!)

Based on frequency across all programs:

### Essential (Required by 100% of programs):
1. ✅ **Company Registration Documents** - German company registration
2. ✅ **Project Description** - Comprehensive innovation project description
3. ✅ **Budget Breakdown** - Detailed project budget
4. ✅ **CVs of Team Members** - All key personnel

### High Priority (Required by 80%+ programs):
5. ✅ **Market Analysis** - Market opportunity and validation
6. ✅ **Business Plan** - Comprehensive business plan
7. ✅ **Project Timeline/Milestones** - Clear timeline with deliverables
8. ✅ **Innovation Documentation** - Technical innovation details and proof

### Medium Priority (Required by 40-60%):
9. ✅ **Partnership Agreements** - If applying to collaborative programs
10. ✅ **Financial Statements/Projections** - Company financials
11. ✅ **Proof of Concept/Prototype** - Working demo/MVP

### Optional (Program-Specific):
12. ✅ **Environmental Impact Assessment** - For environmental programs
13. ✅ **IP Documentation** - Patents, trademarks (EIC Accelerator)
14. ✅ **Letters of Support** - From partners, customers (Horizon Europe)

---

## 📝 UNIFIED PREPARATION CHECKLIST

### Company Documents
- [ ] Company registration documents (German)
- [ ] Proof of Berlin location/address
- [ ] Business registration certificate
- [ ] Company structure/organization chart

### Project Documentation
- [ ] Comprehensive project description (2-5 pages)
- [ ] Technical innovation details
- [ ] Innovation novelty statement
- [ ] Technology readiness level (TRL) assessment
- [ ] Proof of concept/prototype (if available)

### Financial Documents
- [ ] Detailed budget breakdown (Excel template)
- [ ] Project cost calculation
- [ ] Co-funding plan
- [ ] Financial statements (if existing company)
- [ ] Financial projections (3-5 years)

### Business Documentation
- [ ] Business plan (10-20 pages)
- [ ] Business model canvas
- [ ] Market analysis report
- [ ] Competitive analysis
- [ ] Market validation evidence
- [ ] Commercialization strategy

### Team Documentation
- [ ] Updated CVs of all key team members
- [ ] Team expertise summary
- [ ] Previous project experience
- [ ] Publications/patents (if applicable)

### Project Planning
- [ ] Project timeline/Gantt chart
- [ ] Key milestones defined
- [ ] Deliverables list
- [ ] Work packages breakdown

### Partnership Documentation (if needed for collaborative programs)
- [ ] Consortium partnership agreements
- [ ] Letters of intent from partners
- [ ] Research partner agreements
- [ ] Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

### Supporting Documentation
- [ ] IP documentation (patents, trademarks)
- [ ] Environmental impact assessment (for environmental programs)
- [ ] Proof of concept/test results
- [ ] Demo video (if available)
- [ ] Letters of support from customers/partners

---

## 💡 TIPS FOR EFFICIENT PREPARATION

### 1. Create Master Documents
- **Master Project Description**: Write one comprehensive description, then adapt per program
- **Master Budget Template**: Create detailed budget template, adjust per program requirements
- **Master Business Plan**: Comprehensive plan that can be tailored

### 2. Prepare Once, Use Many Times
- Most documents can be reused across multiple applications
- Adapt sections based on specific program focus
- Keep all documents in organized folder structure

### 3. Prioritize by Deadline
- Prepare essential documents first (100% required)
- Then high-priority documents (80%+ required)
- Customize per program as needed

### 4. Quality Over Speed
- Well-prepared documents increase success rate
- Better to prepare thoroughly for fewer applications
- Reuse quality documents across multiple programs

---

## 🎯 RECOMMENDED PREPARATION ORDER

1. **Week 1-2: Foundation**
   - Company registration documents
   - Team CVs update
   - Basic project description

2. **Week 3-4: Core Documents**
   - Comprehensive business plan
   - Detailed budget breakdown
   - Project timeline and milestones

3. **Week 5-6: Market & Innovation**
   - Market analysis
   - Innovation documentation
   - Proof of concept/prototype

4. **Week 7+: Program-Specific**
   - Adapt documents for specific programs
   - Add program-specific requirements
   - Final review and submission

---

*This analysis is based on all funding programs suitable for Berlin-based companies as of November 2025.*