What is the real per-recipient economic value?

EUR 336,000 maximum. Award minimum: not published. Dilution/equity: none.

Which jurisdictions and applicants are eligible?

German SMEs and, in cooperation projects, eligible research institutions under the ZIM guideline. International calls may have partner-country rules. Do not submit during the stop unless an explicit open international call applies.

Technically risky R&D beyond routine development; Strong economic potential and an eligible SME-led structure; Clear milestones and, for cooperation, meaningful partner work shares

What burden or follow-on should I expect?

Work plan with auditable milestones, eligible-cost accounting and grant reporting; research-institution and company rates differ. Separate projects or market-introduction support may be possible under the guideline; no automatic renewal.

ZIM — Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand

EUR 336,000 maximum; see notes for structure · Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE) / ZIM — Germany

Germany's central, technology- and sector-open innovation grant programme for SMEs (and cooperating research partners) to develop new or significantly improved products, processes or technical services. Supports single-company R&D, cooperation projects and innovation networks. Current status: closed; Normally continuous, but applications and sketches have been temporarily stopped since 7 July 2026; open international calls are exempt. Award economics: EUR 336,000 maximum; dilution/equity: none.

Tier 2 · ranked #39germanysmer&dinnovation-grant

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Key facts

Funder	Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE) / ZIM — Germany
Amount	EUR 336,000 maximum; see notes for structure
Decision time	Technical/economic review under the ZIM guideline; timing is not stated on the checked FAQ.
Eligibility	German SMEs and, in cooperation projects, eligible research institutions under the ZIM guideline. International calls may have partner-country rules. Do not submit during the stop unless an explicit open international call applies.
Restrictions	Work plan with auditable milestones, eligible-cost accounting and grant reporting; research-institution and company rates differ. Dilution/equity: none.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Confirm SME/research-institution and project-form eligibility
Wait for reopening or use an exempt open international call
Prepare technical/economic work plan, costs and milestones
Submit to the responsible ZIM project agency
Deliver and report against auditable milestones

Background

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE) / ZIM — Germany operates ZIM — Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand. The official-source pass separates the currently actionable opportunity from historical cohorts and separates per-recipient value from headline program envelopes. The official FAQ states up to €690k eligible cost for single-company projects and 25%–60% aid, producing a €140k–€336k maximum company grant range.

How the application really works

Confirm SME/research-institution and project-form eligibility → Wait for reopening or use an exempt open international call → Prepare technical/economic work plan, costs and milestones → Submit to the responsible ZIM project agency → Deliver and report against auditable milestones

Tips

Demonstrate: Technically risky R&D beyond routine development
Demonstrate: Strong economic potential and an eligible SME-led structure
Demonstrate: Clear milestones and, for cooperation, meaningful partner work shares

Watch out for

Current status is closed; do not use an archived form.
Dilution/equity treatment: none.
Work plan with auditable milestones, eligible-cost accounting and grant reporting; research-institution and company rates differ.

Track record

The official FAQ states up to €690k eligible cost for single-company projects and 25%–60% aid, producing a €140k–€336k maximum company grant range.

No acceptance rate published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this opportunity actionable now?: closed. Normally continuous, but applications and sketches have been temporarily stopped since 7 July 2026; open international calls are exempt.
What is the real per-recipient economic value?: EUR 336,000 maximum. Award minimum: not published. Dilution/equity: none.
Which jurisdictions and applicants are eligible?: German SMEs and, in cooperation projects, eligible research institutions under the ZIM guideline. International calls may have partner-country rules. Do not submit during the stop unless an explicit open international call applies.
How does selection work?: Confirm SME/research-institution and project-form eligibility; Wait for reopening or use an exempt open international call; Prepare technical/economic work plan, costs and milestones; Submit to the responsible ZIM project agency; Deliver and report against auditable milestones. Technical/economic review under the ZIM guideline; timing is not stated on the checked FAQ.
What appears to win?: Technically risky R&D beyond routine development; Strong economic potential and an eligible SME-led structure; Clear milestones and, for cooperation, meaningful partner work shares
What burden or follow-on should I expect?: Work plan with auditable milestones, eligible-cost accounting and grant reporting; research-institution and company rates differ. Separate projects or market-introduction support may be possible under the guideline; no automatic renewal.

Sources

www.zim.de/ZIM/Redaktion/DE/FAQ/FuE-Projekte/fue-projekte.html — Official eligibility, eligible cost, rates, maxima and milestone requirements (checked 2026-08-10)
www.zim.de/ZIM/Redaktion/DE/Meldungen/2026/3/2026-07-07-befristeter-antragsstopp.html — Official temporary application stop from 7 July 2026 (checked 2026-08-10)