Support program

Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) - Feasibility study (cooperation)

What is supported?

Funding is available for feasibility studies to prepare research and development activities in the form of a planned ZIM R&D project. The aim is to determine the feasibility and prospects of success of innovative products, processes or technical services. The components eligible for funding include

• Preliminary technical projects, preliminary studies and tests to assess the prospects of success of the planned R&D project,
• Investigation of the state of the art in science, research and technology and examination of the property rights situation,
• Identification of the R&D work required as part of the planned project,
• Determination of necessary scientific and technical resources and identification of required cooperation partners
• Analyses to sound out the market potential

How is the funding provided

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant. The funding rates (depending on the size of the company) are between 50 - 70% of the eligible project costs. The maximum eligible costs for a company are €125,000, for cooperation projects a maximum of €250,000 for the overall study.

Who can apply for funding?

Commercial enterprises based in Germany with the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• Microenterprise: <10 employees + <€2 million turnover or <€2 million balance sheet total,
• Initial grant recipient,
• Start-ups that were founded no more than 10 years ago and
• SMEs whose last ZIM funding was three years ago or longer.

Important to know!

Prerequisites are:

• The maximum duration of the study is 12 months.
• The study relates to a ZIM R&D project to be applied for at a later date.
• We have our own staff to conduct the studies.
• The required own contribution to the project financing can be raised.

A maximum of two feasibility studies can be approved for a company within 12 months.