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Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, ZIM)

Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, ZIM)

Funds German small and medium-sized enterprises and networks with collaborative innovation grants.

OpenBundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)Germany
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About

The Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) is Germany's flagship federal R&D subsidy for small and medium-sized enterprises, operated continuously by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE) with no fixed call deadline. Applications to all three modules — FuE-Einzelprojekte (solo company R&D), FuE-Kooperationsprojekte (cooperative R&D between at least two companies or a com…

What this grant funds

Technology-neutral, market-oriented technical R&D across all sectors.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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What you have to submit

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Timeline

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Last verified: 29 Jul 2026Source: www.zim.de