German partners (ZIM)
SMEs and mid-sized companies: up to €560,000 eligible costs per company, 40–60 % funding. Research organisations: up to €280,000, up to 100 %. Each German partner files its own ZIM application in German.
Eurogrant · ZIM international · UK–Germany Round 5
UK–Germany R&D projects: is the ZIM–Innovate UK call right for you?
Round 5 of the bilateral call by Innovate UK and Germany's ZIM programme is open until 1 December 2026. German SMEs can claim up to €560,000 in eligible costs per company at 40–60 % funding; UK partners receive grants of £100,000–350,000 per project. This round is limited to Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Engineering Biology.
In a free 20-minute call we tell you honestly whether your project fits and whether the timeline is realistic. Use the form below.
Request your free 20-minute assessment
Key facts
Round 5 at a glance
UK partners (Innovate UK)
A UK-registered SME must lead on the UK side. Grants of £100,000–350,000 per project, up to 70 % for small and 60 % for medium-sized companies. Industrial research only.
Key dates
Online briefing 12 October 2026. Deadline 1 December 2026, 12:00 CET. Decisions by 30 April 2027, project start 1 August 2027, duration 12–24 months.
Frequently asked questions
Can my company apply?
On the German side: SMEs and companies with fewer than 500 employees, or fewer than 1,000 if they cooperate with a funded SME. Research organisations can join as partners. On the UK side, a UK-registered SME must lead.
We don't have a UK partner yet. Is it still worth it?
Only if you can find one within the next two to three weeks. Innovate UK Business Connect supports partner search. Without a viable consortium by the end of October, we usually recommend preparing for the next round or an alternative programme instead.
Does microelectronics or semiconductor technology fit?
Through the application, yes: power electronics for energy conversion, storage and grids fits Clean Energy; sensors, diagnostics and medical devices fit Life Sciences. Pure semiconductor process development without such an application does not fit this round.
How realistic is funding?
Innovate UK itself puts the success rate of comparable competitions at around 10 %. The UK budget of £2.4 million covers only a small number of projects, so a clear sector fit and a balanced consortium matter.
What happens after I submit the form?
We get back to you within one working day to schedule a 20-minute call. You get an honest assessment of fit and timeline. If it makes sense, we support the German ZIM application and align it with the UK proposal.
What are the alternatives if this call doesn't fit?
Other ZIM international calls, for example with Taiwan (until 28 October 2026) and France (until 18 November 2026), as well as regional R&D programmes in eastern Germany. We are happy to check these with you in the same call.