Distr@l line 4 – Validation and growth phase (4A validation research, 4B start-up growth)
Distr@l Förderlinie 4 – Validierungs- und Wachstumsphase (4A Validierungsforschung, 4B Start-up-Wachstum)
Closes in 9 days
Applications close 2026-08-23.
Grant for validation research (4A) and for start-up growth (4B). Rates and ceilings are set per funding line in the Distr@l directive.
Hessisches Ministerium für Digitalisierung und Innovation
public · regional
Deadline: cutoff — Cut-offs 23 August 2026 and 29 November 2026; sketches can be submitted continuously outside these windows.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Sectors: ai, any
- Stage: seed, series_a, growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Applicant must be based in Hesse. The programme is theme-open within digital application-oriented projects and explicitly does not fund the start-up or early-seed phase (line 4B addresses start-up growth). A dedicated dual-use call exists for SMEs with civilian-primary solutions.
How to apply
- Submit a Projektskizze (sketch) — possible continuously. — link
- Formal submission by the applicable cut-off date. — link
- Assessment and grant decision.
What you will need
- Projektskizze
- Project and cost plan
- Company data
Source. https://digitales.hessen.de/foerderprogramme/distrl — checked 2026-08-14
"Distr@l: Digitalisierung stärken – Transfer leben"