Funding for the Management of Innovation Networks (Phase 2) from the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM)
Phase 2 funding for network management within ZIM for the practical implementation and further development of your technological roadmap. Decreasing grant of up to €490,000 (national) or €600,000 (international). Applications are possible until 30.06.2027.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Financial support for network management organizations to implement and further develop the technological roadmap of a national or international innovation network and to prepare the market launch of the project results.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Other costs
- Costs for contracts with third parties
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- National networks with at least 6 eligible companies
- International networks with at least 4 domestic and at least 2 foreign medium-sized companies
- Neutral intermediary without own economic or scientific interests
- Network management institution with proven technological and business management expertise
Documents required for application
- Application form with information about the applicant, the network partners, and the financing
- Progress report on the results of funding phase 1
- Updated network concept for phase 2
- Technological roadmap with the planned R&D projects
- Multilateral network agreement
- Work and milestone planning
- Calculation of personnel and cost expenses including own contribution
- If necessary, bilateral agreements on own contribution
- For international networks: cooperation agreement with foreign partners
- Presentation of task distribution and added value of international cooperation
Description
The Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) specifically supports the management of innovation networks in Germany in Phase 2 – nationally with a degressive grant of up to €490,000 and internationally up to €600,000. Network management organizations undertake the practical implementation and further development of a technological roadmap, coordinate the collaboration of partners, and prepare the market launch of the project results. The funding covers personnel costs, other operational expenses, as well as contracts with third parties and is granted in the form of a non-repayable subsidy. Depending on the network orientation, the funding rate ranges between 30% and 80% of eligible costs, distributed over a project duration of 24 to 36 months. The grant decreases annually, whereby the network partners gradually contribute their own funds.
Funding is provided to neutral intermediary organizations with proven technological and business management expertise, which coordinate national networks with at least six eligible companies or international networks with at least four domestic and two foreign SMEs. Applications are submitted digitally via the Funding Center Germany no later than three months after the completion of Phase 1, and at the latest by June 30, 2027. Required documents include, among others, an updated network concept, a factual report on Phase 1, a multilateral network agreement, a detailed milestone and cost plan, and for international consortia, corresponding cooperation agreements. VDI/VDE Innovation + Technology GmbH acts as the project sponsor, supporting the funding process and assisting with submission and administration.
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