ZIM Innovation Networks (including Transnational Activities)

“ZIM” stands for “Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand”, which means “Central Innovation Programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)”. It is a funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action that aims to foster the innovative capacity of SMEs. It launches several thousand new projects every year all around Germany, making it the country’s largest innovation programme for SMEs. Funding of management of innovative company networks and R&D projects generated by them (minimum requirement for national networks: six German SME partners mandating an organisation to manage the network).

To encourage partnerships between German and international companies as well as, optionally, research and technology organisations (RTOs), international networks have now become part of the regular ZIM funding scheme after the completion of a successful pilot project. Eligible international ZIM cooperation networks must involve at least four German SMEs mandating a German organisation to manage the network and at least three partners from other countries (two SMEs and an organisation serving as coordinator providing network management services abroad).

However, the ZIM programme provides financial support only for the German partners involved. International organisations (coordinators, companies, RTOs and others) are responsible for their own funding.