BMFTR/MOTIR – German-Korean Research Collaboration: Semiconductors and AI-Based Assistive Robotics (2+2 Projects)

Funding for bilateral German-Korean collaborative R&D projects that bring together industry and research organisations to develop market-oriented innovations in semiconductors and AI-based assistive robotics.

The ‘Germany-Korea 2+2 Projects on Semiconductors and AI-Based Assistive Robotics’ programme (Halbleiter und KI-basierte Assistenzrobotik) by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea (MOTIR) aims to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between Germany and the Republic of Korea by supporting bilateral R&D projects with strong involvement from both industry and academia. It particularly seeks to promote technical innovations, significantly increase technology readiness, facilitate future market introduction, expand the presence of German companies in Korea, and strengthen long-term German-Korean research and innovation partnerships.

Projects must operate in a 2+2 format, meaning that both countries must be represented by at least one commercial company and one scientific organisation. Particular emphasis is placed on the participation of German SMEs to ensure strong practical relevance and commercial exploitation potential.

Funding is available under the following two thematic areas:

Topic 1. Semiconductors

Eligible topics include:

• Power semiconductors.
• Automotive semiconductors.
• Memory technologies, including MRAM and FE-RAM.
• Open-source design automation tools.
• New component-level concepts such as memory controllers, error correction, data compression, in-memory computing, trustworthiness and security, preferably based on RISC-V.
• Advanced packaging, including heterogeneous integration, chiplets, design tools and chiplet standardisation.
• Failure analysis and testing, including AI-based automated failure analysis and inline process control.
• Green electronics production, including reduction of energy and resource consumption and avoidance of critical or environmentally problematic materials.

Topic 2. AI-Based Assistive Robotics

Funding supports multipurpose robots for cross-application use in health and medicine, including:

• Care robotics.
• Therapy and therapeutic robotics.
• Social robotics.
• Collaborative robotics.
• Robotics in public spaces.
• Humanoid robotics.

Projects must demonstrate strong practical relevance and generate exploitable research results capable of leading to new technologies, processes, products and/or services. They should also outline how results can be implemented in industry, society or policy.

The call contributes to the objectives of the Federal Government’s Hightech Agenda Germany (HTAD).

BMFTR has appointed the project management agency DLR (DLR Projektträger) to administer the programme on its behalf. On the Korean side, the programme is coordinated by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT).