Funding for German companies and RTOs; German RTOs need at least one German SME partner in order to be eligible for funding

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 €560,000; funding depends on subsidy rates

RTOs may calculate a max. budget of €280,000; receive 100% funding of the calculated costs for the project part they applied for; max. funding for each RTO is €280,000

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 35% of personnel costs)
– Costs for external R&D contracts (30% to 70% of person months)

Development of innovative products, processes or technical services

Significant technical risk involved in the project and clearly described

Enhancing of competitiveness of SMEs