BMFTR – Vertical Application Alliances for Batteries (VAAB)

Funding is provided for the establishment of an application alliance in Germany that brings together stakeholders along the entire battery value chain with the aim of accelerating the development and translation of innovative battery technologies.

As part of the German government’s overarching High Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD), Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) has launched the funding initiative ‘Vertical Application Alliances for Batteries’ (Vertikale Applikationsallianzen Batterie – VAAB). The programme is designed to support the establishment of high-performing vertical application alliances in the field of battery technologies and thereby to accelerate the development and translation of innovative battery technologies into competitive applications. In this way, the initiative is intended to strengthen the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe, establish new value-added networks, and improve the conditions for competitive and sustainable battery production in Germany and Europe.

Funding is provided for collaborative projects that involve stakeholders along the entire battery value chain to establish an industry-led vertical application alliance for batteries (VAAB). The programme supports the targeted and efficient further development of innovative research and development approaches originating from (basic) research by industry, with a view to transforming a ‘technology-push’ approach into ‘market-pull’ momentum. The funding scheme remains within the pre-competitive sphere. 

The programme is divided into two phases:

Planning phase

Consortia may use this phase to design sustainable cooperation structures with the aim of developing specific, manufacturable battery cells or battery systems for clearly defined applications, right through to series production readiness. This must include a roadmap covering the battery cell or battery’s progression to pre-series production readiness in the relevant application (corresponding to TRL 7 to 8). Other topics to be addressed include IP arrangements, strategic plans for industrial exploitation/commercialisation in Germany/Europe and the contribution to the establishment of a battery ecosystem. This phase can also be used to identify (further) suitable partners. 

Implementation phase(s)

It is possible to receive funding for up to three implementation phase with each phases marking a higher level of TRL:

• First implementation phase: Technology validation in the relevant environment.
• Second implementation phase: System demonstration in a real-world environment.
• Third implementation phase (up to TRL 8 in application): A system qualified and ready for series production.

It is possible to submit a funding application for the implementation phase only if relevant preparatory work has been carried out previously.

Projects must also develop suitable, efficient innovation and management structures for the VAAB.