Technology-neutral project support
If companies want to succeed on world markets, they have to invest in research and innovation and quickly transform their research findings into new products and services.
The aim of innovation promotion programmes is to provide grants and low-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them finance research and innovation projects. The programme places a particular priority on supporting collaboration between businesses and research centres in order to facilitate the rapid transformation of new scientific findings into marketable products.
Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM)
What's new?
On 1 January 2011, a new guideline went into effect for the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM). This guideline will enable R&D projects run by individual companies in western Germany to continue receiving support even after the government's second stimulus package (adopted in response to the global financial crisis) expires.
What gets funded?
1. Cooperative projects:
- R&D cooperation between two or more SMEs
R&D cooperation between SMEs and research centres
- collaborative projects that cut across technology domains and that involve at least four SMEs and two research centres
- R&D projects commissioned to research centres by SMEs
2. Network projects:
- Support for management and organisational services that aim to develop and implement innovative networks encompassing at least six companies
3. Single-company projects:
- R&D projects run by individual SMEs for the purpose of developing innovative products, processes and technical services.
Projects in all fields of technology are eligible for funding, and projects may also include collaboration with international partners. In addition, both single-company projects and cooperative projects may receive funding for services and advice that facilitate innovation (such as market studies and patent research).
How does the funding work?
Funding amounts are scaled according to company size. Companies in eastern Germany and small businesses with up to 50 employees receive higher levels of funding within the given scale. Maximum level of funding: ¤350,000 per project and network.
For cooperative projects: grants to SMEs can cover up to 35-50% of costs. Grants to research establishments can cover up to 100% of costs.
For network projects: Grants are provided to cover a proportion of the personnel costs for managing the network. Funding is as follows: for Phase 1 (maximum one year) - up to 90% of eligible costs; for Phase 2 - 70% in the first year, 50% in the second year, and 30% in the third year.
For projects run by individual companies: grants can cover up to 35-45% of costs.
In addition, both single-company projects and cooperative projects may receive funding for services and advice that facilitate innovation. This funding involves grants that cover 50% of the maximum eligible costs of ¤50,000 per project.
Where should applications be submitted?
The German Federation of Industrial Research Associations/Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen "Otto von Guericke" e.V. (for cooperative R&D projects); VDI/VDE Innovation u. Technik GmbH (for single-company and network projects); and EuroNorm GmbH (for single-company projects).
Applications can be submitted at any time. An initial consultation is offered free of charge prior to the submission of an application.
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