Germany's ZIM innovation programme: project types, 2025 guideline and the 2026 application freeze
Editorial team artemis-ju.eu · Updated 27 October 2026
ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, Central Innovation Programme for SMEs) is Germany’s main nationwide grant programme for market-oriented R&D in small and medium-sized companies, run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Right now, however, it is closed: since 7 July 2026, 12:00, ZIM has temporarily stopped accepting new applications and project outlines. Reopening is aimed for early 2027, depending on the federal budget. If you need R&D funding now, look at the research allowance and regional programmes in parallel.
The application freeze
The BMWE ordered the freeze because demand had risen sharply since the fourth quarter of 2025 while budget funds are limited. According to a notice from BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg dated 20 July 2026:
| Point | Status |
|---|---|
| Start | 7 July 2026, 12:00 |
| Scope | all project types and project outlines |
| Exception | applications with international partners in open bilateral or multilateral calls |
| Applications received later | not accepted and not assessed |
| Applications already submitted | can be approved if conditions are met and funds are available |
| Ongoing projects | payments are not affected |
| Reopening | aimed for early 2027, depending on the 2027 federal budget |
The situation may change once the budget is adopted, so check zim.de before planning.
What ZIM funds
ZIM is open to all technologies and sectors. It supports projects that aim at new products, processes or technical services. The guideline distinguishes several project types:
- Single projects (Einzelprojekte): R&D by one company; research institutions can be involved as subcontractors.
- Cooperation projects (Kooperationsprojekte): joint R&D by at least two partners, either several companies or companies with research institutions.
- Innovation networks (Innovationsnetzwerke): networks of companies and research institutions whose management is funded and which should generate R&D projects.
- Feasibility studies (Durchführbarkeitsstudien): preliminary studies to test technical feasibility before an R&D project.
The target group is SMEs and, under certain conditions, larger mid-sized companies, with research institutions taking part as partners. Size limits, funding rates and cost caps differ by project type, company size and partner set-up; the current guideline on zim.de is binding.
What changed with the 2025 guideline
After an evaluation, a revised guideline has applied since 1 January 2025. Changes include:
- Feasibility studies are funded as de minimis aid and can run for up to 12 months.
- In R&D projects, subcontracting is possible up to 35 % of direct staff costs.
Alternatives during the freeze
| Route | Type | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Research allowance | tax incentive, legal entitlement | ongoing R&D with own staff or contract research, also retroactively |
| State programmes | grants or loans from the federal states | projects with a regional base, e.g. Pro FIT in Berlin or PROFI in Hamburg |
| Promotional loans | low-interest loans, e.g. via KfW | financing innovation through your house bank |
| EIC Accelerator | EU grant and equity | highly innovative start-ups and SMEs aiming to scale |
The research allowance (Forschungszulage) is usually the closest substitute: it covers part of R&D staff costs and cannot run out of budget. It requires a certificate from the BSFZ, explained in our guide to the BSFZ certificate. If ZIM reopens later, the same costs must not be funded twice, so keep projects and cost items clearly separated.
For a broader comparison of grants, loans and tax incentives, see loans vs. grants. Advisers for innovation funding are listed in the innovation funding category.
When it is worth waiting for ZIM
ZIM may still be the better choice after it reopens if you want to develop together with a university or research institute and have their work funded as part of a cooperation project, or if you plan a network of several companies that needs funded network management. If you already run R&D with your own staff, there is no need to wait: the research allowance can also be claimed retroactively. Grants, by contrast, usually require that the project has not started before the application, so check the rules on project start carefully once ZIM reopens. Projects with international partners should look out for open bilateral or multilateral calls, which are exempt from the freeze.
Practical next steps
- Document your project: objective, state of the art, technical risks and work plan. This helps for ZIM, the research allowance and state programmes alike.
- Check the research allowance and, if it fits, apply for the BSFZ certificate.
- Ask the promotional bank of your federal state about innovation programmes.
- Keep an eye on zim.de so you do not miss the reopening.
Sources
- ZIM, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
- BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: temporary ZIM application freeze
- Federal funding database
This guide does not replace tax or legal advice; the funding guideline and the funding body’s decision are binding.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for ZIM right now?
Not in most cases. Since 7 July 2026, 12:00, no ZIM applications or project outlines are accepted. Applications with international partners in open bilateral or multilateral calls are the exception. Check zim.de for the latest status.
Can a foreign company apply for ZIM?
ZIM is a German national programme aimed at companies operating in Germany. A foreign company usually takes part through a German entity or as a partner in an international ZIM call. The exact eligibility rules are set out in the guideline on zim.de.
When will ZIM reopen?
Lifting the freeze is aimed for early 2027. Whether and when it happens depends on the funds set in the 2027 federal budget.
What is the best alternative during the freeze?
For R&D staff costs, the research allowance is often the obvious option, because it is a legal entitlement and does not depend on a grant budget. Regional programmes of the federal states and, for highly ambitious projects, EU programmes are further options.