Support program

Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) - Feasibility study (individual project)

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,
• Identification of necessary scientific and technical resources and determination of required
• Kooperationspartner
• 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.

Funding is provided for personnel costs and the costs of a maximum of two contracts with third parties. Other costs are compensated with a maximum of 30% of the personnel costs. The costs for the eligible components of the feasibility study that are not attributable to preliminary technical projects, preliminary studies and tests are eligible for funding up to €40,000; in the case of collaborations, up to €50,000.

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.

Companies can apply for up to two ZIM feasibility studies within 12 months.