Funding for feasibility studies from the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM)
Grant for preparatory feasibility studies within the nationwide ZIM program. Assessment of the feasibility of innovative R&D projects. Applications can be submitted digitally at any time.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the preparation of demanding research and development projects (R&D projects) through the implementation of feasibility and preliminary studies to assess technical, economic, and market-related prospects of success.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Other costs (e.g., market analyses)
- Contracts with third parties
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Company founded no longer than 10 years ago or micro-enterprise (fewer than 10 employees)
- SMEs whose last ZIM funding was three years ago or longer
- Completed company formation
- Financial own contribution must be provided
- Technological and business potential for implementation
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Documents required for application
- Application form with all necessary attachments
- Description of the company (applicant)
- Binding legal declarations
- Current economic identification number
- List of received funding in the last 3 years
- Description of the content of the study (justification, objectives, workflow)
- Proof of personnel and cost planning as well as creditworthiness and own contribution
- Current commercial register excerpt or business registration
- Declaration on the incentive effect of the funding
- Declaration on SME classification
- Declaration on classification as an eligible company (other medium-sized enterprises)
- Information on cooperation partners (in case of cooperation)
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Good market opportunities
- Compliance with scientific and technical standards
Description
The Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) supports nationwide preparatory feasibility studies for ambitious research and development projects (R&D projects) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), young companies, and micro-enterprises. The goal is the systematic examination of technical feasibility, economic prospects, and market potential before a full R&D project is launched. Cooperative study consortia also benefit from support, provided a balanced partnership without one-sided dominance is ensured. Prerequisites for an application include, among others, a completed company foundation (no more than 10 years ago) or SME classification with at least a three-year funding hiatus from previous ZIM projects, sufficiently qualified personnel, and an orderly accounting system. Each study must comply with scientific and technical standards (lege artis) and retain primary data for at least five years.
Personnel costs, other expenses such as market analyses, and contracts with third parties are funded for a project duration of up to twelve months. Sole proprietorships receive grants of up to EUR 125,000, and cooperations up to EUR 250,000; the funding rate depends on company size and ranges from 50–70%. Applications can be submitted continuously online via the Funding Center Germany. Careful submission of the application, including all required documents—from company description through personnel and cost planning to legal declarations and proof of own contribution financing—ensures prompt review by the project sponsor VDI/VDE Innovation + Technology GmbH. Grant notifications are sent in writing or electronically, and disbursements are made in quarterly installments upon submission of interim reports. This provides companies with early planning security and enables solid preparation of their R&D projects.
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