ZIM – SME Innovation Program
Who and what is funded?
ZIM is open to all companies in Germany with up to 500 employees – and up to 1,000 employees in the case of collaborations with third-party companies and research institutions.
The funding program is aimed at the development of innovative products, processes or technical services in all technologies and sectors. ZIM primarily supports ambitious innovation projects with considerable technical risk, which significantly advance the state of the art and sustainably increase the company’s competitiveness. ZIM projects typically last between 6 and 36 months.
How is funding provided?
The funding is primarily based on the company’s personnel costs. Other project-related costs are also subsidized – such as for instruments and equipment, contract research and rent.
In addition to own development projects, cooperation projects with other companies and/or research institutions are also eligible for funding if all partners provide innovative services in a balanced ratio. The funding rate increases for international projects and cooperation with foreign partners.
Feasibility studies can be funded in advance and then the costs of marketing support services and consultancy services, such as securing results through patents.
How much funding is available?
Individual projects will receive funding of up to 45 percent of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 550,000 euros.
Cooperation projects are funded for each sub-project:
- for companies a maximum of 60 percent of the costs up to 450,000 euros
- for research institutions 100 percent of the costs up to 220,000 euros.
The maximum grant for an entire project is €2.3 million. Several ZIM projects can even be carried out in parallel, so a company can receive several hundred thousand euros in funding annually.
ZIM funding advice and processing from a single source
Experienced, reliable and efficient – at fair conditions
ZIM consulting and project support from a single source
ATHENA has been a qualified consulting firm for various funding programs of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) for over 20 years. With our comprehensive offering, we help you successfully submit your ZIM application.
We begin by preparing the application documents for your signature and take care of the necessary formalities. Due to our high approval rate, we also offer some success-based approaches.
We will clarify the eligibility of your project in a free initial consultation
As a nationwide ZIM expert, we have established very efficient and high-quality processing procedures through the high number of successful grants, the cost advantages of which we are happy to pass on.
Reliably process ZIM payment requests and proof of use
Our staff has extensive experience in federal government project funding and will provide you with expert, confidential, and non-binding advice. We would be happy to discuss the eligibility of your project with you free of charge.
We are also happy to assist you with the processing of ZIM funding. Whether we help with completing payment requests or preparing proof of use after the funding period has ended, we understand the challenges in detail.
High efficiency, high quality and fast processing at fair conditions
In 2024, the funding program was increased by several million euros to a total of 627 million euros. Bring your idea to market success with ZIM!
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