The evaluation of the German Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) with its three R&D programme pillars - individual projects, cooperation projects and innovation networks concerns one of the most important instruments of innovation policy in Germany.

The evaluation focused on the programme period 2015 to mid-2018 and integrated a theory-based approach with a strong empirical basis. Methodologically, the evaluation implemented a coordinated set of analytical-quantitative and qualitative approaches, such as a control group approach as well as a broad set of qualitative methods, including the analysis of spillover-effects of the different programme pillars.

Report (in German)