In the following, we have summarized a number of frequently asked questions about the m4 Award.
In any case, we recommend a personal consultation with BioM before submitting your documents.
The m4 Award supports research projects that have a clear spin-off potential. Applicants should have a basic willingness to found a company.
No, the maximum amount over a period of up to two years is 500,000 Euros.
Up to 5 projects will be awarded in each call for proposals.
A patent is not ot mandatory, but an IP strategy must be presented, because property rights / patents or proprietary know-how are usually a necessary condition for commercialisation in the high-tech sector. In any case, it is recommended to contact the responsible technology transfer office.
In principle, it is possible to set up a company during the funding phase. How In case of a spin-off formation, it will be evaluated for the respective case, how the funding can be continued for the remaining funding period.
In many cases, biomedical spin-off projects will require a larger amount of funding than the m4 Award is able to provide. Therefore, it is possible to attain funding for the overall spin-off project from more than one suitable funding source. However, no double funding of individual work packages is possible.
No, also a proportionate funding is possible. However, the personnel should be appropriate for the scope of the project.
At the first stage, the 5-page short descriptions may be submitted in German or English. If the second selection level is reached, the 15-page sketches have to be submitted in German.
No, but it is possible to use a part of the funding for subcontracting, as long as it does not exceed 50 % of the overall funding.
