They can be of great value to start-ups and other ambitious, innovative companies: grants, financing, loans and support programmes. They help get over a certain point or realise growth potential. But the range is vast and sometimes confusing. In no particular order, as we do every quarter, we list five new opportunities.
Enterprising (former) students
Students, PhD candidates and recent graduates who are in the early stages of setting up their own business are eligible for Orion start-up vouchers worth 2,500 euros. The funds are intended to cover out-of-pocket expenses for research or preparatory activities for their own business and do not need to be repaid. A total of 20 vouchers are available.
The vouchers are for companies affiliated to HAN, ArtEZ, Van Hall Larenstein and Radboud University. They will be judged on the uniqueness of their ideas, entrepreneurial skills and market potential. An impartial committee will assess the plans based on pitches. See here More information and contact names of the four knowledge institutions.
Quality of life in the countryside
Residents, neighbourhood organisations, farmers, foundations and associations from six areas in Gelderland can apply for grants from this spring onwards for projects that contribute to the quality of life in rural areas. This grant is funded by the European LEADER programme. The projects must fit within the Local Development Strategy (LOS) for that area.
The scheme is available to residents from Achterhoek, Liemers, Rijk van Nijmegen, Maas en Waal, GEUS (Garderen, Elspeet, Uddel and Speuld), Rivierenland and IJssel Valley. It is expected to open staggered, between 1 April and 1 June 2024. All ideas that fit into the LOS stand a chance of winning the European grant. These could include, for example, the transition to a more sustainable way of working for farmers and market gardeners or improving social contacts in the region, by protecting and preserving facilities. Retrieved from this site of Gelderland province to read more about the scheme.
Sustainable innovation or testing
The European ERDF East 2021–2027 funding programme is making over 40 million euros available to innovative and collaborative entrepreneurs in Overijssel and Gelderland. The available budget is divided between two funding schemes.
The first scheme is called 'Innovation Projects' and is intended for market-oriented innovations. Entrepreneurs with a smart and sustainable idea who want to cooperate with (other) SMEs, large companies and/or knowledge institutions can apply for a subsidy. For this opening, a total amount of almost 34 million euro is available for Gelderland and Overijssel together. Applications could be submitted from 1 February 2024 and can still be submitted until 31 January 2025, as long as there is budget available. More information can be found at here.
The second scheme is called 'Test and demonstration facilities'. This involves, for instance, activities in living labs with testing facilities and living labs where a prototype is demonstrated. EUR 16.5 million is available for this. The application period runs from 1 March 2024 to 31 January 2025. Again, 'gone is gone'. Here is more about this scheme.
DI and LLO
Through the ‘Expeditie’ scheme, which will soon open for the second time, the government aims to encourage the expansion and sharing of existing knowledge in the fields of Sustainable Employability (DI) and Lifelong Development (LLO). This should make it more applicable to other sectors, companies and organisations.
Applications can be made from 27 May until 21 June 2024. A total of EUR 18.5 million is available for the 2024 application period. Earlier (in 2022), grants were awarded to four applications. Here is more information and it is also possible to submit an application.
CO2 emissions
Recently, a new round opened for the MOOI subsidy scheme (Mission-Driven Research, Development and Innovation). This national scheme encourages consortia of organisations from different sectors to work together on innovations that reduce CO2 emissions in the Netherlands. It involves research and development projects for the industry, built environment and electricity sectors. The consortia bring together technical, social, organisational and legal knowledge. This gives innovations an even greater chance of success.
Collaborations can pre-register their project from 19 March. They can still do so until 18 April. All information on the scheme is available at here.
