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AAttention: The brilliant ZIM program has run out of funds and, as of today, July 7, 2026, has suspended the acceptance of applications until further notice.
What should be done? We support the program and trust that policymakers will continue to allocate funds for this outstanding program.
And we’re using the time until the end of the year to fine-tune our clients’ applications. That way, we can submit them promptly when the program resumes in the new year.
Here are the details about ZIM:
- Maximum grant per company: 168,000–336,000 EUR
- Flat rate: Upon submission of supporting documentation, up to 100% of personnel costs for companies, 85% for research institutions
- Grant: 25–60% of the costs + a lump sum
- Funding agencies: Federal Government –> BMWK –> AiF/VDI VDE-IT#
- Program budget: approximately 650 million euros per year
- Funding areas: Development of innovative products, processes, or technical services, without restriction to specific technologies or industries
- Eligible applicants: SMEs and medium-sized companies with up to 1,000 employees
- Formats: In-house (single project), consortia (2 or more SMEs), networks (6 or more SMEs)
- Application process: single-stage, applications accepted on an ongoing basis
- Requirements: Innovation, technical risks, commercial exploitation
- Difficulty level: Easy
The ZIM Program
ZIM is the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action’s (BMWK) largest technology- and sector-neutral funding program for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. It supports research and development projects carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and collaborating research institutions.
Objectives:
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Strengthening the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises
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Bring new products, processes, and services to market faster
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Promoting collaboration between industry and academia
Funding opportunities:
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Individual projects: R&D projects carried out by a single company
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Collaborative Projects: R&D Projects Involving Multiple Partners
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Innovation Networks: Building and Managing Networks with Shared Development Goals
ZIM funding is non-repayable funding and can be combined on a case-by-case basis—including with international partners.
Whiterock ZIM Project Molds
In addition to individual projects, ZIM offers various forms of collaboration through cooperative projects (above) and innovation networks (below)
ZIM Funding Rates
The following table shows the funding rates (in yellow) for companies of different sizes. Classification is based on the number of employees and revenue/total assets. Higher funding rates apply to start-ups and companies in structurally weak regions. Higher funding rates also apply to cooperation partners with international participation.
Whiterrock ZIM funding rates
Click on the table to enlarge it. For more information: www.zim.de
