Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, ZIM)
Funds German enterprises with innovation aid for projects, partnerships, and commercial pathways.
ZIM, the Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, is Germany's flagship SME research and development grant program under the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. It is administered by AiF Projekt GmbH, EuroNorm, and VDI/VDE-IT, and it is built to support market-oriented technical innovation across sectors rather than picking a narrow industrial theme.
The program runs through three…
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.
Funds German small and medium-sized enterprises and networks with collaborative innovation grants.
Administers collaborative grants for German firms and research partners to run joint innovation projects.
Funds German small businesses preparing technology concepts for future project development and commercialization planning.
Supports German small and medium-sized enterprises with technology-neutral projects for new products, processes, and services.
Supports German innovation ecosystems by funding management of networks that connect multiple companies and institutions.