ZIM Feasibility Studies
Funds German small businesses preparing technology concepts for future project development and commercialization planning.
ZIM Feasibility Studies is the entry-level track of the Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), Germany's principal SME innovation grant programme administered by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE). The track funds preparatory technical and market studies that an SME intends to take forward into a full ZIM Individual or Cooperation R&D project. Under the revised 2025 funding guideline, feasibility-study projects may run for up to 12 months — extended from the previous 8-month cap — and are funded under the de-minimis state-aid framework, which exempts applicants from the otherwise required assessment of whether the company is in financial difficulty. Eligible costs include freelance IT services and project-related external assignments, in addition to personnel costs. Typical awards are estimated in the range of €30,000 to €100,000 based on project scope.
Eligibility is restricted to German SMEs: the lead applicant must be an enterprise with up to 250 employees, annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, or a balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million, and must be incorporated and operate in Germany. The 2025 guideline specifically improves access for first-time applicants and micro-enterprises, as well as SMEs that have not received ZIM funding in the past three years. ZIM is technology-neutral — there is no restriction on industry sector or technology area. Applications are submitted on a rolling basis to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, which is the designated project management agency for the Feasibility Studies track. Typical decision timeline from submission to award notification is 8 to 12 weeks.
The Feasibility Studies track is designed as a formal preparation step, not a standalone award. Applicants are strongly advised to draft their follow-on ZIM Individual or Cooperation application in parallel, as the feasibility study output feeds directly into the merit criteria of the subsequent submission. The Innovationstag Mittelstand on June 11, 2026 is the programme's main annual showcase event and a useful networking entry point for first-time applicants.
Preparatory technical and market studies for an R&D project that the applicant intends to take forward through ZIM Individual or Cooperation tracks. Technology-neutral — any sector or technology area is eligible.
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