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Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) — ZIM · Germany

Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM — Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand)

Programme — suspended, check reopening

Temporary application stop (befristeter Antragsstopp) since 7 July 2026, according to IHK Bodensee-Oberschwaben and the Bavarian state funding guide. Check zim.de for reopening before planning an application.

zim.de and the BMWE page block automated access; facts checked against two independent public second sources (IHK and the Bavarian state Förderfibel), 14 Nov 2026.

Note: suspended: temporary application stop since 7 July 2026.

Programme overview

Germany's largest open-topic R&D programme for SMEs: individual R&D projects of one company, cooperation projects of several companies or with research institutions, innovation networks, feasibility studies and market-launch services.

Who can apply

SMEs with a site in Germany, and other mid-sized companies with fewer than 500 employees (fewer than 1,000 when cooperating with a funded SME). Research institutions can join cooperation projects as funded partners. Foreign partners can take part in cooperation projects but receive no ZIM funding. The application must be made before the project starts.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

How to apply

1. Note: a temporary application stop has applied since 7 July 2026 (IHK); check zim.de before preparing an application.
2. Choose a single or cooperation project; funding rates are about 25-60% depending on company size and location.
3. Optionally submit a project outline for an early assessment.
4. Apply with the online forms before the project starts.

✓ Checked against the official call text on 2026-11-15 (Second sources: IHK Bodensee-Oberschwaben ZIM page and the Bavarian Förderfibel (zim.de and the ministry block automated access)).

From the call text

Who can apply

Companies with up to 1,000 employees, in single or cooperation projects; research institutions in cooperation projects.

Company stage

R&D projects; feasibility studies can also be funded.

Single applicant or consortium

Single projects (one company) or cooperation projects (several partners).

Where applicants must be based

Germany.

Where to apply

Online application forms; an optional project outline gives an early assessment. A temporary application stop has applied since 7 July 2026.

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page · IHK Bodensee-Oberschwaben: ZIM (second source) · Umweltpakt Bayern Förderfibel: ZIM (second source)

The application guidance on this page was checked by hand against the official call text on 15 Nov 2026; other facts were taken from the source on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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