Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM)
Funds German SME R&D projects, covering up to 60% of eligible costs.
The Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) is a grant from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) that funds German SME R&D projects — including collaborative projects between companies, or between companies and research institutions — developing new technologies, products, or processes through market-oriented R&D, covering up to 60% of eligible costs at a rate …
For small and medium-sized enterprises (and research institutions partnering with them) developing new technologies, products, or processes through market-oriented R&D. Covers individual projects as well as collaborative ones between companies, or between companies and research institutions.
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