Dutch grants and funding
Are you aiming to accelerate your research or innovation in the Netherlands? Many key Dutch grant programmes like NWO, RVO, ZonMw, and EFRO are always open for applications. On this page, we present a summary of the key funding opportunities in the Netherlands.
Introduction to grants and funding opportunities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers various grants and funding opportunities for businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. Whether you’re launching an innovative startup, conducting cutting-edge research, or working on sustainability projects, there are various financial support programmes available to help bring your ideas to life. In the Netherlands, these are the most important funding programmes:
- NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research)
- RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency)
- ZonMw
- EFRO (European Regional Development Fund)
From government subsidies to EU-backed initiatives, these Dutch funding schemes are designed to encourage innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Understanding the different grants, eligibility requirements, and application processes can help you secure the right funding for your project.
Please note: Not all 2025 programmes have been published, we will update you throughout the year when new calls are announced.
NWO
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, NWO) is the main funding body for scientific research in the Netherlands. Their mission is to advance high-quality, innovative research that contributes to societal and scientific progress.
NWO provides grants and funding opportunities for researchers at all career stages, supporting fundamental, applied, and interdisciplinary research across various disciplines. Through competitive funding programmes, NWO stimulates collaboration, knowledge development, and the impact of Dutch research on a national and international scale.
These are (some of) the main NWO funding programmes in 2026:
NWO – Take-off phase 2: early phase trajectory WO/HBO/TO2 spring 2026
Deadline: Full proposal 24 February 2026
Funding: €450K
Funding rate: 100%
Total budget: €4,950,000
Project duration: 2 years
Consortium: Start-up companies (max 5 years old from registration at Dutch Chamber of Commerce) can apply that have adopted knowledge from a Dutch university, a NWO-acknowledged research institute, a Dutch university of applied sciences or a TO2 knowledge institute.
Scope: Take-off focuses on facilitating and stimulating activity and entrepreneurship from Dutch universities, NWO-acknowledged research institutes, universities of applied sciences and TO2 knowledge institutes. This involves the creation of innovative (commcercial) activities are based on knowledge from above described knowledge institutes, that are being exploited by innovative start-up companies/ entrepreneurs. This can involve product, process, care or service innovation, from all scientific fields (beta/technology, life sciences and alpha/gamma).
NWO –Take-off phase 1: Feasibility studies WO 2026
Scope: Take-off focuses on facilitating and stimulating activity and entrepreneurship from Dutch universities and research institutes recognized by NWO. This involves creating innovative new activities that follow knowledge development and utilization by researchers at these knowledge institutions. This may concern product, process, care or service innovation in the broadest sense of the word, within all scientific fields.
Deadline: Open deadline 10 December 2026
Funding: €60K
Funding rate: 100%
Total budget: €4,5M
Project duration: 6 months
Consortium: Researchers from the following research institutes can submit applications:
- Dutch universities (or comparable positions at university medical centers);
- KNAW and NWO institutes;
- the Netherlands Cancer Institute;
- the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen;
- NCB Naturalis;
- Advanced Research Center for NanoLithography (ARCNL);
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology.
NWO – Research along routes by consortia (NWA-ORC) 2026
Scope: The aim of the NWA ORC 2026 call for proposals is to encourage research that is set up and carried out by inter- and transdisciplinary consortia that include representatives from the full breadth of the knowledge chain as well as relevant societal (public and/or private) partners, including citizens. The research will address so called wicked problems, focused on themes that are proposed by NWA-route networks and based on one or more of the 140 cluster questions.
Deadline: Full proposal 8 October 2026
Funding: €7,25M
Funding rate: 100%
Total budget: €87M
Project duration: 4 – 8 years
Consortium: A consortium should consist of at least a main applicant, a co-applicant and cooperation partner. The conditions for each type of participant are explained in more detail.
NWO – The power of collaboration
Scope: The aim of the programme “The Power of Collaboration” is to strengthen scientific and societal impact by building on the knowledge, insights and perspectives for action already developed in previously awarded NWA projects. By continuing to build on the already fruitful productive interactions, the societal impact of NWA research is increased, contributing to finding solutions and accelerating change. The focus of this call is:
- on research into the applicability of the results of existing NWA consortia to different policy levels (national, regional and local policy); and/or
- on research into how the knowledge and insights gained can be translated for other relevant stakeholders.
The Call also offers the opportunity for further in-depth research and the development of theoretical concepts within the projects. This can be done, for example, by conducting research into new knowledge questions or developing methods, theories or concepts that are relevant to policy.
Deadline: Full proposal 16 June 2026
Funding: €1,4M – €1,5M
Funding rate: 100%
Total budget: €13,5M
Project duration: 48 months
Consortium: A consortium form previously awarded NWA projects (2018-2019; 2019-2021). They should consist of at least a main applicant, a co-applicant and cooperation partner. The conditions for each type of participant are explained in more detail.
NWO NWA ORC
NWA ORC supports research in knowledge-chain-wide as well as inter- or transdisciplinary consortia in which researchers collaborate with societal (public and/or private) partners and, where relevant, with citizens too.
Funding: €7,25M
Deadline: 3 February 2026
Eligibility: Consortia consist of a main applicant, co-applicant(s), and cooperation partner(s). The main applicant must be a researcher at a Dutch research institute, as well as the co-applicant.
NWO Open Competition Domain Science-XS
The SSH Open Competition XS Call for proposals is specifically intended to encourage curiosity-driven and innovative research that involves the relatively rapid exploration of a promising idea.
Funding: €50K
Deadline: 31 July 2026 – 7 April 2026 – 15 September 2026
Eligibility: Researchers with a promising idea who obtained their PhD at least 5 years ago
NWO Open Competition Domain Science-M
ENW-M grants support curiosity-driven scientific research, providing researchers the freedom to pursue excellent, innovative, and interdisciplinary research with potential impact.
Funding: Depending on grant type: €400K – €800K
Deadline: 31 July 2026
Eligibility: Specific applicant rules per grant type: Full, associate and assistant professors and other researchers with a comparable position
NWO Open Competition Domain Science-XL
The Open Competition Domain Science-XL grants are aimed at curiosity-driven fundamental scientific research with impact, and the programme allows a choice for scientific impact, societal impact, or both.
Funding: €1M – €3M
Deadline: 9 June 2026
Eligibility: A consortium of at least two researchers from different research organisations
NWO Perspectief
Perspectief supports large-scale innovation by facilitating collaboration between scientists and industry to develop technologies with significant economic and social potential.
Funding: €2M – €5M
Deadline: 19 May 2026
Eligibility: Consortia contain at least 3 knowledge institutions and 4 users
NWO Open Technology Programme (OTP)
The Open Technology Programme supports interdisciplinary, impact-driven research by enabling collaboration between researchers and knowledge users across public and private sectors.
Funding: €950.000
Deadline: Open deadline. Application until 11 December 2026
Eligibility: Consortia including a main applicant that must be a full, associate or assistant professor
NWO Photonic Technologies
The “Photonic Technologies” call is a six-year programme with the aim to further grow the market and supply chains in photonics in the Netherlands.
Funding: €400k – €1.2M
Deadline: Expired
Eligibility: Researchers from universities, universities of applied and TO2 institutions.
NWO Demonstrator
The Demonstrator programme helps Dutch researchers develop research results into functional prototypes to demonstrate their commercial potential.
Funding: €160.000
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Full, associate and assistant professors and other researchers with a comparable position
More NWO grants and funding opportunities
NWO provides more funding opportunities, each with its own distinctive objective. This full overview can be found on the NWO website.
RVO funding programmes
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) is a government organization that supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and researchers through various funding opportunities.
As part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, RVO’s mission is to drive innovation, sustainability, and international business by providing grants, subsidies, and financial support. Their programmes cover renewable energy, research and development, export growth, and sustainable agriculture, helping businesses and organizations thrive while contributing to a stronger Dutch economy.
These are (some of) the main RVO funding programmes in 2026:
RVO MIT Feasibility
The MIT Feasibility call supports SMEs in assessing the viability of innovation projects. It primarily funds feasibility studies involving desk research, literature and patent reviews, technology assessments, market analysis, and partner identification. The project can also include industrial research and experimental development to address technical feasibility questions.
Funding: €20.000
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Individual Dutch SME
RVO TSE Industry Studies
This call focuses on test or demonstration projects that help reduce CO2 emission in industrial processes at low cost within 10 years after the end of the study. The funding can be used to visualize if the project is feasible or what kind of environmental investment is needed.
Funding: €4M
Deadline: 31 March 2026
Eligibility: Single applicant or consortia that consists of at least one Dutch company.
RVO DHI
The DHI supports Dutch SMEs in international business expansion through demonstration projects, feasibility studies, and investment preparation. The scheme enables technology presentation and investment assessment in global markets, excluding the European Netherlands and sanctioned countries.
Funding: €200.000
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Single applicant Dutch SME
RVO Early Phase Financing (Vroegfasefinanciering, VFF)
With a loan from the VFF, startups and SMEs can investigate whether their idea has a chance of success in the market (idea on paper – concept phase). Development of the first prototype is covered by the aim of investigating technical feasibility. Selling proto types or products that have already been granted IP, are not eligible, as that development is too mature for this loan.
Funding: Loan €350.000
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Individual SMEs, established businesses or Academic, HBO and TO2 innovative start-ups
RVO Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet, IK)
As one of the most well-known Dutch grants, the Innovation Credit is a risk bearing loan to fund high risk, technological innovation projects. Although funding is meant for a technological risky project, typically used for more for more later stage development projects. At the end of the project the product should be on the market or otherwise bringing revenues to the company (licensing deal, new investor round, co-development).
Funding: Loan €10M
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: All companies, both SMEs and established companies (large or small)
RVO MIA and Vamil
This call aims for entrepreneurs that want to use their tax benefit to invest in environmentally friendly assets and technologies.
Funding: MIA investment allowance up to 45% and Vamil investment costs up to 75%
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: All companies, both SMEs and established companies (large or small)
RVO MIT R&D
The project consists of industrial research and/or experimental development of innovate products, production processes or services
Funding: €350K
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Consortia consist of 2 – 4 Dutch SMEs
More RVO grants and funding opportunities
RVO provides more funding opportunities, each with its own distinctive objective. This full overview can be found on the RVO website.
ZonMw
ZonMw is a leading Dutch organization dedicated to funding health research and care innovation. Their mission is to enhance public health and the quality of care by fostering cutting-edge research and translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions for society. Through a diverse range of grants and funding programmes, ZonMw supports projects that span from fundamental research to applied studies, empowering researchers and healthcare professionals to drive improvements in well-being and healthcare delivery across the Netherlands.
These are (some of) the main ZonMw funding programmes in 2026:
ZonMw Grote Trials round 7
Big Trials Round 7 focuses on prospective, (inter)national, multicenter interventional research involving medicines registered in the Netherlands, investigating a clear clinical question that is widely recognized as a problem.
Funding: No limit, total budget €69M
Deadline: Pre-proposal 14 October 2025 | Full proposal 16 June 2026
Eligibility: Legal entities established in the Netherlands, either under public or private law
ZonMw GGG Open Round 15
The Open Round focuses on research that examines how a drug can be used more cost-effectively, for example, through personalized treatment, lower or shorter dosing, or effectiveness research on a cheaper alternative.
Funding: €1,25M
Deadline: Pre-proposal 15 September 2025 | Full proposal 3 March 2026
Eligibility: lead applicant from a Dutch research organization as defined by EU state aid law, a Dutch healthcare institution or provider, a public organization, or an advocacy organization.
ZonMw Drug Rediscovery Round 8
In Drug Rediscovery Round 8, the focus is on clinical research into the effectiveness of a promising application of an existing drug (not under patent) for an indication for which the drug is not (yet) registered. Within this round, two types of project ideas can be submitted: proof-of-concept studies and clinical validation studies.
Funding: No limit, total budget €2,5M
Deadline: Pre-proposal 7 January 2026 | Full proposal 22 September 2026
Eligibility: Legal entities established in the Netherlands, either under public or private law
ZonMw Implementation Round 3
With this funding round, ZonMw advances knowledge with the aim of implementing proven effective pharmacotherapeutic interventions in practice. Within this call, project ideas may be submitted that focus on implementing knowledge from completed Dutch research projects in the field of rational use of medicines.
Funding: No limit, total budget €1M
Deadline: Pre-proposal 18 November 2025 | Full proposal 12 May 2026
Eligibility: Public or private legal entities established in the Netherlands
More ZonMw grants and funding opportunities
ZonMw provides more funding opportunities, each with its own distinctive objective. This full overview can be found on the ZonMw website.
EFRO
The European Regional Development Fund (Europees Fonds voor Regionale Ontwikkeling, EFRO) is a funding body by the European Union to reduce economic disparities between its regions through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). There are national ERDF programmes and international programmes (Interreg); the national programmes are referred to as the “country-specific programmes.”
EFRO / ERDF in the Netherlands
For the period 2021–2027, the Netherlands receives €506 million from the EU budget for implementing ERDF programmes. This funding is allocated across four country-specific ERDF programmes: Northern Netherlands, Eastern Netherlands, Southern Netherlands, and Western Netherlands. All programmes emphasize creating a “smarter” and “greener” Europe by supporting economic activities focused on innovation (smarter) and the transition to a low-carbon economy (greener). The funds are primarily intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
These are (some of) the main EFRO funding programmes for 2026:
EFRO – OPZuid
OPZuid Round 1 seeks innovative solutions for energy, climate, resources, agriculture & food, and health transitions, enabling regional and global market opportunities.
Funding: €2M
Deadline: expired
Eligibility: Consortia that have at least 2 partners based in Southern-Netherlands
EFRO – Opportunities for West
The programme targets six specific objectives, including innovation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy systems, circular economy, and sustainable urban development.
Funding: Depends on the region: €19,000 – €4,7M
Deadline: Open deadline until 31 December 2026
Eligibility: Depending on the region, companies, knowledge institutions, and governments can apply
More EFRO grants and funding opportunities
EFRO provides more funding opportunities, each with its own distinctive objective. This full overview can be found on the different EFRO websites: Noord-Nederland (SNN), Oost-Nederland (EFRO Oost), Zuid-Nederland (OPZuid) and West-Nederland (Kansen voor West, KVW).
Contact
Which programme fits your project best? Our team of Innovation Consultants is here to guide you. We have extensive experience successfully applying to calls from these programmes. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about your suitability for any of the calls listed below.
Looking for funding?
How can we help you on your innovation journey? Contact us today.
