#UpdateHamburg 2026: Call for proposals for social innovations started
With #UpdateHamburg, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Innovation is providing a total of one million euros for socially innovative projects for the fifth time. Project outlines can be submitted to the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank (IFB Hamburg) until 29 March 2026.
What #UpdateHamburg offers
#UpdateHamburg 2026 seeks solutions to social challenges in the city. The funding amount is up to 100,000 euros for individual projects and up to 150,000 euros per project for collaborative projects, and is given as a non-repayable grant. The planned project duration is around twelve months. The focus is on the following topics:
Social participation
Health
Education
Climate and environment
Companies that were founded two or more years ago are eligible to apply. The programme is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, startups and freelancers. Universities, research institutions and other organisations that have been in existence for more than two years are also eligible to participate. Applicants who do not have their registered office or place of business in Hamburg can only apply for funding if the project is implemented as a cooperation project with an organisation whose registered office or place of business is located in Hamburg. Companies from the agriculture, fisheries and export sectors are excluded due to state aid regulations. Once the project outlines have been approved, binding applications can be submitted by 30 June upon request by IFB Hamburg.
