BMWE
Overview of BMWE research funding
The main objectives of the BMWE are to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to promote new market-oriented technologies and innovations to maintain the competitiveness of the German economy. To support continuous and effective knowledge and technology transfer, the BMWi also promotes cooperation between industry (especially SMEs) and universities and research institutions.
- Industrial Cooperative Research
- ZIM - Central Innovation Programme for SMEs
- ZIM - Cooperation projects within the framework of IraSME
- 7th Energy Research Programme
Project management agencies of the BMWE include AiF Projekt GmbH and VDI/VDE-IT.
Industrial cooperative research
As part of the Industrial Collective Research (IGF), the BMWE supports broad-based, systemically relevant research projects for SMEs as well as larger, multi-part projects that combine basic and applied research with IGF PLUS.
The CORNET program funds Europe-wide research alliances of business associations and research institutions in at least two countries. A new call for proposals is now available.
Eligible for funding are:
- Thematically open research projects in:
- Basic research
- Industrial research
- Experimental development
- Feasibility studies
- Projects with a cross-company focus and high benefit for SMEs
Prerequisites:
- Planned knowledge transfer to the economy
- Feasibility must be recognizable
- SMEs: max. annual turnover of € 125 million (incl. affiliated companies)
Eligible to apply:
Non-profit, legally independent research associations (authorization possible)
ZIM - Central Innovation Programme for SMEs
ZIM is a technology and sector-open funding program of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection to support research and development projects and innovation networks of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
1. R&D cooperation projects
- Promotion of innovative products, processes or technical services
- Cooperation between SMEs and research institutions (e.g. universities)
- Universities can act as applicants
- Funding for sub-projects:
- Up to 100% for research institutions if the publication rights remain with the project partner
- Otherwise according to the funding quota of the participating company
- Maximum grant per sub-project: 220,000 euros
2. innovation networks
- Establishment and development of cooperative networks with at least six companies
- Two phases of funding:
- Phase 1: Development of the network concept, management and organizational services are funded
- Phase 2: Implementation of the concept, usually over three years
- Open to all sectors and technologies
3. additional funding
- Additional services for market launch can also be applied for
Further information
- Participation of international partners is possible, but without funding under the ZIM guideline
- Companies of all legal forms with business operations in Germany are eligible to apply, provided they meet the EU's SME criteria
Responsible project management organization:
- Cooperation projects: AiF Projekt GmbH
- Innovation networks: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
- The program was resumed in summer 2022 with revised guidelines after a temporary interruption in applications.
OVGU guidelines for calculating the costs of project personnel
ZIM - Cooperation projects within the framework of IraSME
German SMEs and research institutions also have the opportunity to work with foreign project partners to jointly develop new products, processes or services.
- IraSME is a network of ministries and funding agencies for joint support of transnational projects of companies in national/regional funding programmes.
- Network coordination funded by the BMWi, carried out by AiF Projekt GmbH (project management agency of the BMWi).
- Partners in the current call: Austria, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia regions), Brazil, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia and Turkey
- Two annual call rounds with deadlines at the end of March and September
- Applications can be submitted until 28 September 2022 within the framework of the 30th call for proposals in the IraSME network.
- Information on webinars and networking events can be found here
The 30th call for proposals of the IraSME network is only valid if ZIM resumes processing the applications. This will be decided by the financial resources available for 2022 and subsequent years. more
7th Energy Research Programme
Within the framework of the 7th Energy Research Programme, the Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Energy, for Education and Research, and for Food and Agriculture are funding projects that contribute to achieving the Federal Government's energy policy goals. The programme defines priorities for research funding and innovation policy in the energy sector and also sets new accents compared to the previous energy research programme.
The submission of outlines and applications is basically possible at any time and without exclusion deadlines. The programme is valid until 31.12.2022.
Information on the website of the project management organisation
