Get support with the Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM)

The Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) is a German federal programme that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as larger mid-sized companies, in developing new products, processes and technical services. It is open to all industries and technologies, and companies can apply alone or together with other companies and research institutions.

Which of the project types below fits depends on your idea, your company and your partners.  We help you identify the right one and prepare the application.

Feasibility Study  

A feasibility study prepares a planned ZIM R&D project. It can cover technical preliminary studies and tests, a review of the state of the art including IP rights, and an analysis of market potential. Feasibility studies are open to young companies (founded within the last ten years), micro-enterprises and SMEs whose last ZIM funding was at least three years ago.

Individual Projects (only national activities)

Individual projects are R&D projects carried out by a single company that wants to develop a new product, process or technical service on its own. They are open to SMEs and to larger mid-sized companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Cooperation Projects (including transnational activities)

Cooperation projects bring together at least two companies, or at least one company and a research institution. The companies can be SMEs or larger mid-sized companies with fewer than 500 employees (fewer than 1,000 if at least one SME is involved). Partners can be in Germany or abroad. Foreign partners take part without ZIM funding, so they need to secure their own funding. The funding rate for the German companies is higher when a foreign partner is involved.

Innovation Networks (including transnational activities)

Innovation networks bring together at least six independent companies under central coordination. They can be national or international. ZIM supports the network management as well as the R&D projects that come out of the network. International networks receive a higher funding rate for the network management than national ones.

Market Introduction Services (for individual and cooperation projects)

Companies with an approved ZIM individual or cooperation project can also apply for services that support the market introduction of the project results, for example advice on intellectual property, standards and regulations, or marketing. Applications can be made during the project and up to 18 months after it ends.

Please note that ZIM has had a temporary stop for new applications since 7 July 2026, which applies to all project types. Applications with international partners under open bilateral and multilateral calls are exempt. Contact us to find out what is possible right now.