Germany
AiF Projekt GmbH
(ZIM project management agency for BMWK)
Tschaikowskistraße 49
13156 Berlin, Germany
www.aif-projekt-gmbh.de
Contact Person
Ms. Jenny Gudlat
Phone: +49 (0)30 48163 589
Email: info (at) ira-sme.net
Central Innovation Programme for SMEs
NATIONAL PROGRAMME PORTRAIT
Aim of programme
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) offers German applicants the opportunity to apply for R&D funding through its Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM). ZIM funding aims at:
- Encouraging the implementation of R&D results into marketable innovations
- Increasing the innovative ability and competitive position of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Increasing cooperation between SMEs and research / technology organisations (RTOs)
- Reducing technical and economic risks related to research and development
Funding Conditions
- Funding for German companies and RTOs; at least one German company/SME has to participate
- Companies with less than 500 employees (including affiliated companies) may apply
- Companies with less than 1,000 employees (including affiliated companies) may apply if cooperating with a SME (less than 250 employees)
- Companies receive a subsidy rate of 25% – 60% (depending on their size and place of business)
- Companies may receive an additional 10% for transnational cooperation, but max. 60% funding
- Companies may calculate a max. budget of €450,000; funding depends on subsidy rates
- RTOs may calculate a max. budget of €220,000; receive 100% funding of the calculated costs for the project part they applied for; max. funding for each RTO is €220,000
- Contribution of RTOs: max. 50% of total person months
- In projects with more than two partners no partner may contribute more than 50%, in bilateral projects no SME more than 70 % of total person months
- Each German partner (company / RTO) has to file a separate ZIM application
- Eligible costs:
– Personnel costs (without employer’s share of social insurance)
– Other costs (up to 100% of personnel costs for companies, and 85% for RTOs)
– Costs for project-related contracts to third parties (up to 25% of personnel costs)
– Costs for external R&D contracts (30% to 70% of person months)
Requirements
- Development of innovative products, processes or technical services
- Significant technical risk involved in the project and clearly described
- Enhancing of competitiveness of SMEs
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