turash/funding/COMMON_REQUIREMENTS.md

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.