Germany's R&D tax credit on research and development costs. No funding pot, no deadline, no competition: if you meet the requirements, you have a legal entitlement. Also for projects that are already running or completed.
ZIM (Germany's Central Innovation Program for SMEs) is the best-known grant for innovation projects at mid-sized companies. Traditionally a direct grant on personnel costs, for individual and collaborative projects, open to all technologies.
Note: since July 7, 2026, ZIM has temporarily stopped accepting applications, including project outlines, because its budget is exhausted. According to the chambers of commerce (IHK) and the AiF, the aim is to resume in early 2027, depending on the 2027 federal budget. If you are planning now, prepare the project but don't start it yet: an early start would rule out funding for good.
KMU-innovativ IKT (the federal SME innovation program for information and communication technology): a grant for software-intensive systems and AI methods with high technical risk. More demanding than other programs: a significant share of the work must be industrial research; pure product development is not enough.
A grant for research-performing SMEs that develop together with a partner in another European country. A much lower bar than Horizon Europe and currently the most obvious alternative while ZIM is suspended.
For deep-tech startups with validated technology and the ambition to scale. Single applicant, no consortium, a grant plus an optional equity investment. The technology must already work in a relevant environment.
Mittelstand-Digital Zentren (federal digitalization centers for SMEs): no money, but free, vendor-neutral support through workshops, demonstrators and implementation guidance from AI trainers. The sensible first step when a project is still too early for research funding.
The current network is being phased out by the end of 2026. A new nationwide network starts in 2027, with a focus on AI and IT security.
We are not funding consultants. We build the projects that get funded. For years we have noticed clients leaving money on the table because they do not know their development counts as research. Hence this check.
From the official sources: statutes, funding guidelines published in the Bundesanzeiger (Germany's Federal Gazette) and the program pages of the funding bodies. Every program card links its source and states the date of the last check.
Not legal or tax advice, and no entitlement to funding. The amounts shown are rough ranges. What counts is solely the funding bodies' guidelines and, for the Forschungszulage (Germany's R&D tax credit), the review by the certification office (Bescheinigungsstelle).