German Federal Games Funding 2026 (Games-Förderung des Bundes)
Germany's federal games fund gives studios grants of up to 8 million euro for game production and prototypes. Applications are open until 31 December 2026.
The German Federal Games Funding (Games-Förderung des Bundes) is run by the federal ministry for research, technology and space (BMFTR). The second funding call pays for the production of games and game prototypes. Ports and large expansions of a game count as production.
The grant does not have to be repaid. A project can receive up to 8 million euro. Large companies get up to 25% of costs, small and medium companies up to 45%, and young startups up to three years old up to 50%. The minimum project size is 300,000 euro.
Applicants must be game companies and send an extract from the commercial register. The project must pass a cultural test showing a link to Germany or Europe. The game needs a USK age rating before release, and production projects must include accessibility measures. Games that glorify violence and gambling are excluded.
Applications have been possible since 1 August 2025. The call runs until a new call is published, and at the latest until 31 December 2026. Before the final application in the easy-Online portal, there is a required draft review with the project agency DLR. The application needs a project description, a work plan, the cultural test, an SME declaration and a credit check.
A budget chart dated 24 August 2026 on the ministry page shows funds still available for 2026. Questions go to the DLR hotline at games@dlr.de.