ZIM

Central innovation program for small and medium-sized enterprises

The BMWE’s Central Innovation Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ZIM) is a program designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing innovative products, processes, or technical services, without restriction to specific technologies or industries. Universities may submit applications for this program only in collaboration with an SME. The projects are to be carried out in a balanced partnership in which all partners contribute innovative work.

The most common type of application relevant to Clausthal University of Technology is the so-called “R&D cooperation project,” in which at least one SME and Clausthal University of Technology collaborate as partners. The involvement of additional SMEs and research institutions is possible. 

The BMWE has appointed several project management agencies for the ZIM program, each of which is responsible depending on the nature of the proposed project. For R&D cooperation projects, this is AiF Projekt GmbH.

Important note: the following restrictive funding conditions currently apply:

According to the project administrators, the possibility of extending project durations and reallocating funds is currently strictly limited in order to prevent excessive commitments in subsequent years and to maintain flexibility for new projects in the long term. Therefore, please plan the duration and, in particular, the start date of your project as realistically as possible.