The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has announced the new funding initiative “Robots4CleanTech – Intelligent Robotics for Environmental Technology” published. The funded research and development projects combine Artificial Intelligence with Robotics to develop innovative solutions for the environmental technology and CleanTech sector.

The focus is on intelligent robotic systems for applications such as automated sorting and recycling processes, environmental monitoring, inspection and maintenance of infrastructures as well as improving resource and energy efficiency. The goal is to develop marketable AI-supported robotic solutions and strengthen the competitiveness of German companies in the CleanTech sector.

Eligible applicants are companies, universities, research institutions, municipalities, and other organizations. Only national collaborative projects in business, science, and practice are funded. For each collaborative project, funding up to 1.2 million euros is available for a period of 24 to 30 months .

The funding is provided in a two-stage process. Project outlines can be submitted by September 15, 2026 via the funding portal easy-Online . Selected consortia will then be invited to submit a formal funding application.