The European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture, or EIP-Agri for short, is a European Union (EU) funding instrument under the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Its aim is to promote innovation in agriculture and horticulture. It is implemented by the member states or, in Germany, by the federal states. The funding supports so-called Operational Groups (OG), which develop and implement innovative ideas based on practical experience. The aim is to strengthen competitiveness, improve animal welfare, and make agriculture more resilient.
We would be happy to advise you on the development and implementation of project ideas!
EIP-Agri is aimed at operational groups (OGs). These are associations of agricultural businesses, companies, research institutes, and consultancies that jointly develop innovation projects. An OG must have at least three members, including two agricultural businesses from Schleswig-Holstein. The innovation is bottom-up: it comes from practical experience. Collaboration with research and consulting promotes interactive work and enables the development and testing of practical solutions to current challenges (multi-stakeholder approach).
We are happy to assist you in finding suitable partners for your OG.
Applications are submitted via calls for proposals. In Schleswig-Holstein, the last call closed in July 2025. The procedure is a single-stage process; you submit a full application directly to the approving authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe, and Consumer Protection (MLLEV). A complete application includes the application form, Annex I (EIP assessment sheet PAK self-assessment), a business plan in accordance with Annex II (proposed structure for the business plan of an OG), a letter of intent to participate in an OG (LOI) from each member of the OG, and a draft cooperation agreement. The documents can be found in the download area.
Information on current calls for proposals in other federal states can be found on the website of the German Networking Agency for Rural Areas (DVS).
We support you from the application stage through to implementation.
Funding is provided for the running costs of an operational group (OG) and the costs of the actual innovation project. This includes personnel costs, material expenses, scientific research, machine usage costs, travel expenses, and license fees. Low-value assets up to 800 euro are eligible for funding. For larger purchases, linear depreciation can be applied during the project period. Important: Only net amounts are taken into account.
A total of up to 500.000 euro per project can be taken into account.
We would be happy to clarify with you which expenses are eligible for funding in your project.
The maximum funding amount is 500.000 euro per operational group (OG).
Ongoing cooperation expenses are covered at 100 %. For innovation projects, agricultural businesses, consultants, and non-commercial institutions receive funding covering 100 % of eligible expenses. Small and medium-sized enterprises and commercial research institutions are eligible for 50 % funding.
We would be happy to advise you on how to plan your project budget optimally.
After submission, an independent committee will evaluate your project based on the project selection criteria (EIP Directive Annex 1). On this basis, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe, and Consumer Protection (MLLEV) will decide on the funding of the project. Once formal approval has been granted, work on your innovation project can begin.
We will be happy to inform you about the entire process and support you every step of the way.
The EIP Agrar Schleswig-Holstein innovation office can help you with any questions you may have about submitting applications and implementing projects. We can advise you on the requirements, show you the funding options available, and support you from the application stage through to implementation and the final report, ensuring your project is a success.
Get in touch with us—we're happy to help!
In addition, the German Networking Agency for Rural Areas (DVS) is also available for information about EIP-Agri in all federal states.
EIP-Agri funding is an excellent opportunity to develop and implement innovative ideas based on practical experience. It combines agriculture, consulting, and research, thereby helping to strengthen competitiveness, improve animal welfare, and make agriculture more resilient.
With EIP-Agri, you can gain valuable experience, make new contacts, and develop practical solutions for the future of agriculture.
Even if you do not wish to implement a project yourself, it is worth taking a look at previous projects—their results offer exciting insights and practical ideas for your own work.