ERDF – European Regional Development Fund

Updated on 22 July 2026

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of the European Union's main Cohesion Policy funds, alongside the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). Its objective is to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion across the EU by reducing regional disparities and supporting sustainable regional development.

Unlike centrally managed EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, ERDF funding is not awarded directly by the European Commission. Instead, the EU allocates funding to Member States and regions, which implement their own operational programmes in line with regional development priorities. In Bavaria, the ERDF programme is managed by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

For the 2021–2027 programming period, the ERDF has a budget of approximately €200 billion. Preparations for the next EU budget period 2028–2034 are already underway.

Programme at a glance

Programme: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Part of: EU Cohesion Policy
Current programming period: 2021–2027
Budget: approximately €200 billion
Management: Shared management by the European Commission and the Member States
Key priorities: Research and innovation, digitalisation, SME competitiveness, climate action, energy efficiency and regional development
Target groups: SMEs, large companies, universities, research organisations, public authorities, municipalities and other public or private organisations

What does the ERDF support?

The ERDF finances investments that strengthen Europe's regions and improve their long-term competitiveness and resilience. Its main objectives include:

• promoting research, technological development and innovation;
• strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• accelerating digital transformation;
• supporting climate action and adaptation to climate change;
• improving energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy;
• fostering sustainable urban and regional development; and
• enhancing regional competitiveness and economic growth.

The ERDF also finances European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), supporting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation projects throughout Europe.

The ERDF in Bavaria

In Bavaria, the ERDF supports investments that strengthen innovation, competitiveness, climate protection and sustainable regional development. Funding is provided through the Bavarian ERDF programme and is aligned with the region's economic and societal priorities.

Key funding areas include:

• research and innovation infrastructure;
• knowledge and technology transfer;
• investment by small and medium-sized enterprises;
• internationalisation of SMEs;
• digitalisation;
• energy efficiency;
• climate and environmental protection;
• green infrastructure; and
• sustainable urban and regional development.

Further information on the Bavarian ERDF programme is available from the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

The next programming period: 2028–2034

With its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, the European Commission has launched preparations for the next EU funding period. According to the current proposal, Bavaria will continue to receive ERDF funding.

The Commission has proposed integrating the ERDF, the ESF+ and other funding instruments into new National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). These proposals are currently being negotiated between the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament. The final legislative framework has not yet been adopted.

Combining ERDF and Horizon Europe

The ERDF and Horizon Europe serve different but complementary purposes.

While Horizon Europe funds excellent research and innovation projects through competitive calls at European level, the ERDF supports regional investments such as research infrastructure, pilot facilities, technology transfer and the market uptake of innovative solutions.

The European Commission actively encourages synergies between EU funding programmes. Combining ERDF and Horizon Europe can help accelerate the transfer of research results into practical applications, strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and maximise the impact of public investment.

BayFOR supports synergies between European funding programmes

The Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) supports universities, research organisations, companies and public institutions in identifying and combining suitable European funding opportunities.

As a member of the Monitoring Committee of the Bavarian ERDF Programme, BayFOR has extensive experience at the interface between regional and European research and innovation funding. We provide strategic advice on funding opportunities, identify suitable funding combinations and support applicants in developing synergies between ERDF, Horizon Europe and other European programmes.

Further information

• European Commission – European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy – ERDF in Bavaria
• Interreg – European Territorial Cooperation