08.07.2026 - "The Federal Government should lift the recent freeze on applications for the Central SME Innovation Programme (ZIM) as it hinders effective innovation support for SMEs.

ZIM is indisputably one of the Federal Government's most successful innovation support programmes for SMEs. Over the years, the programme has evolved into a proven tool for fostering innovation in the SME sector. It helps companies develop new products, processes, and services and bring them to market readiness in collaboration with research institutions.

SMEs face numerous barriers in the innovation process, making it difficult to bring their innovations to market. Evaluations have shown that this format of reliable and straightforward funding has positive effects on research and development within SMEs. Innovation is the cornerstone of higher competitiveness for our companies and generates future growth. The sudden application freeze causes concern among businesses.

Especially amid the current phase of economic weakness, it is the wrong signal from the Federal Government to halt one of its key support tools for SMEs. Budget cuts would further slow down the innovation dynamics within SMEs. The government should act quickly to provide planning security and allocate the necessary funds to resume and ensure continuity in processing applications. This would enable innovative SMEs to continue their projects and launch new initiatives. The Federal Government should not apply the brakes on future investments."