From eligibility to application for Germany's ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand): up to ~€690K per company across its modules, plus every other EU grant you qualify for.
Germany ZIM plus other EU grants, all with one application
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Grants, family offices, angel investors & VCs
Germany's ZIM funds up to ~€690K per company across 3 modules (individual, cooperative, and network projects), with a typical decision in 3 to 6 months from submission.
The founder's guide
What Is the ZIM Grant?
ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand) is Germany's central, technology-open innovation grant for SMEs, run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs through authorised project-management organisations. It funds market-oriented R&D across three modules: individual company projects, cooperative projects (with German or international partners), and innovation networks. Awards reach up to around €690K per company, depending on the module.
The catch for non-German founders: ZIM requires a German-incorporated SME. If you're considering a German subsidiary for market expansion, ZIM eligibility is a significant extra incentive. Our free check shows whether ZIM, and every other European grant, fits your plans.
Who qualifies
ZIM Eligibility
ZIM is technology-open, but firmly German. Here's what most projects need.
A German-incorporated SME, generally fewer than 500 employees and under €100M annual turnover, with a permanent establishment in Germany.
A market-oriented R&D project with technical risk and clear commercial potential, in any technology field (ZIM is technology-open).
The right module. Individual projects for solo R&D; cooperative projects with research or company partners (German or international); networks for groups of firms.
Capacity to co-fund. ZIM is a partial subsidy, you contribute the remainder, with higher subsidy rates for smaller and younger companies.
A founder's guide
How to Apply for ZIM
ZIM accepts applications on a rolling basis. The project-management organisation you choose matters.
Step 1
Pick the Module & Partner Body
Choose individual, cooperative, or network, and the authorised project-management organisation with the best fit for your sector. Run the free eligibility checker to confirm ZIM and other EU grants fit you.
Step 2
Build the Project & Budget
Personnel cost projections are the most scrutinised line item, document staff time across tasks rigorously. For cooperative projects, line up your research or company partner before applying.
Submit → 3–6 mo
Submit & Await the Decision
Submit through the project-management organisation's portal. Decisions typically take 3–6 months. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so timing is flexible.
Done-for-you service
Don't want to write it yourself? We build the application for you.
The steps above are the do-it-yourself route. If you would rather hand it off, our grant specialists write, package and manage the whole application for you, working alongside you so the technical detail stays yours while we handle the process.
1ApplyTell us about your startup and the grant you are targeting. It takes a few minutes.
2Chat with a specialistA grant specialist checks your fit, confirms the right programme, and scopes the work with you.
3We build your applicationWe write the narrative, budget and supporting documents to the funder's exact scoring criteria.
4We guide every stageMany grants run in several rounds (assessment, interviews, sometimes multiple phases, then reporting). We handle each step and explain everything as we go.
Transparent, mostly success-based pricingA modest upfront fee to scope and start the work (not always tied to your metrics), plus a success fee based on the grant, the amount awarded, and your business. Every engagement is quoted individually.
Apply and we'll come back with a tailored budget for your specific grant.
Interactive Tool
Check Your EU Grant Eligibility in 30 Seconds
Every European programme is listed below by default. Tell us your stage and sector to narrow them to the EIC, Horizon Europe, and national programmes that match your startup. Getting matched is 100% free - no fee, no commission, no credit card.
Choose your stage and sector below to see which EU grants you may be eligible for
Want a definitive eligibility report? It's free.
This is a first-pass match based on stage, sector, and geography. Complete the application form and we'll automatically match you with the most relevant grants - including the one you're researching - cross-referencing your technology, IP, team, and traction against every active European programme. This matching service is completely free: no fee, no commission, no credit card required.
The strongest raises stack multiple non-dilutive programmes. Here are the other EU grants you can apply for, all matched in one free eligibility check.
Yes. ZIM funds German-incorporated SMEs with an establishment in Germany. Foreign companies can take part in cooperative projects as partners, but the ZIM funding goes to the German entity. A German subsidiary can unlock eligibility.
Up to around €690K per company depending on the module, with cooperative projects able to reach higher total budgets across partners. Exact ceilings and subsidy rates are set by the current ZIM guidelines and updated periodically.
No, ZIM is technology-open. Any market-oriented R&D project with genuine technical risk can apply, which makes it one of the most flexible national grants in Europe for German SMEs.
Yes, though you can't double-fund the same costs. Many German SMEs use ZIM for national R&D and pursue EIC or Eurostars for larger or cross-border work. Our free check maps the combination for you.
The Full Capital Stack
Grants Are Only Part of the Stack
EIC and Horizon Europe grants cover early-stage R&D, but most European startups need equity capital to scale. The strongest raises combine non-dilutive grants with angel or VC investment.
AngelsPartners is the only platform where a founder can access all three capital pathways in one place: grants (this page), debt financing, and 120,000+ equity investors.
Equity funding
European Angels & VCs
Search a database of angels, micro-VCs, and funds investing across Europe. Filter by country, sector, ticket size, and stage. Direct contact details included - no gatekeepers, no pay-to-pitch.
Venture debt, revenue-based financing, and startup loan programmes - without diluting your cap table. Our AI matches you to a curated lender network based on your revenue, traction, and geography.
