Research Allowance for Automotive & Vehicle Technology
In vehicle technology, research up to the point of prototype testing is eligible – production ramp-up and homologation are not. Eligible activities include new powertrain, battery and lightweight construction concepts, driver assistance algorithms with genuine technical risk, and test vehicles with an open outcome. We draw a review-proof line between research and series work.
All free & non-binding – no upfront risk.
Context
Automotive projects are assessed against the general R&D criteria as well as the rules for mechanical engineering (prototype, special-purpose machine) and ICT (algorithms, software). What matters is a scientific-technical uncertainty that cannot be resolved with routine or application procedures.
Which R&D activities in Automotive & Vehicle Technology are eligible?
- New powertrain, battery or fuel cell concepts with uncertain performance or safety behaviour
- Lightweight construction: new materials, joining processes or structures with a technically open outcome
- Driver assistance, sensor fusion and control algorithms with genuine technical risk (per the ICT criteria)
- Building and testing prototypes or test vehicles to validate technological foundations
Example: research allowance in Automotive & Vehicle Technology
For illustration only – not a real client case.
Assumption: Assume around €540,000 of eligible R&D staff costs per year for a qualifying Automotive & Vehicle Technology project.
Simplified example based on the eligible R&D staff costs (as of July 2026); excluding the overhead flat rate, contract research, owner work and the cap. Your actual funding depends on the individual case.
Typical non-eligible activities & reasons for rejection
This is exactly where many first applications fail. These points come from the BSFZ review guidelines:
- Production ramp-up, pilot series and serialization after development is complete
- Homologation, type approval and approval-related documentation
- Variants, facelifts and applications within the known technical framework without genuine risk
- Calibration, parameterization and tuning using established procedures
- Maintenance, repair and standard testing
Research language instead of development language
The BSFZ assesses by scientific criteria. An example from Automotive & Vehicle Technology:
“We improved the range of our vehicle.”
“Whether a novel cell chemistry and thermal management concept increases energy density within defined safety and ageing limits – with an outcome that was open at project start and documented threshold values.”
FAQ: research allowance for Automotive & Vehicle Technology
Which R&D activities in vehicle technology are eligible?
Eligible activities include new powertrain, battery and lightweight construction concepts, control and assistance algorithms with technical risk, and the building and testing of prototypes – in each case up to the point of prototype testing.
Is production ramp-up eligible?
No. The eligible R&D phase ends with the testing and final evaluation of the prototype. Production ramp-up, pilot series and homologation are no longer part of it.
Does application/calibration count as research?
As a rule, no: tuning and calibration using established procedures are routine. It only becomes eligible if a genuine technical uncertainty arises that cannot be resolved with standard procedures.