Innovation Credit
Are you working on the technological development of a new product, process or service? Or the clinical development of a new drug or device? Take advantage of the Innovation Credit. The Innovation Credit is intended for the development of innovative development projects with considerable technological risks and an excellent market perspective.
Amount of subsidy and application period
Technical or clinical project
For the Innovation Credit, we distinguish technical and clinical projects. Characteristic of clinical development projects is that the products or processes to be developed, or parts thereof, have to be clinically tested in humans before introduction on the market. This comes with an extra risk, because it can be difficult to predict in advance whether the clinical testing can be completed successfully.
How much subsidy will you get?
The credit percentage varies from one application to another. It depends on the size of your company and whether you carry out the project in a possible partnership. In most cases, the Innovation Credit finances a maximum of 45% of the project. The rest of the funding must come from your resources.
| Size of the enterprise | Credit percentage without collaboration |
Credit percentage with collaboration |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 45% | 50% |
| Medium | 35% | 50% |
| Large | 25% | 40% |
Quick Scan
With the Quick Scan, you submit your plan or project idea to us and receive no-obligation advice. You are, therefore, not bound by any further obligations. After filling in the form, a financing adviser will contact you within 2 working days. You will then discuss your project and the possible next steps.
Conditions
We do not approve every application for Innovation Credit. Your project has to meet certain criteria.
- For example, you can only apply for Innovation Credit for one specific development programme. Software, IT and AI projects are also included.
- You have to demonstrate that, within this development programme, there is a systematic reduction of the technical or clinical risks.
- You will also substantiate your own share of the funding with signed term sheets or contracts, including a buffer for setbacks and delays.
Read all the conditions for Innovation Credit
Preparing your application
Prepare your application properly:
- Do the Quick Scan
- Read more about the application process.
- Read what attachments you need with your application.
Application
You can apply for Innovation Credit all year round. The application form is in Dutch. Your attachments may be in English. It is important that you complete the application for the Innovation Credit in full, as we process applications in order of completeness.
You will need to log in using eHerkenning (eRecognition). For your application, you need at least Level 2+ with Netherlands Enterprise Agency services authorisation at Level eH2+.
The Innovation Credit is for a project, so applying for an innovation credit for several projects within your company is possible.
After your application
Following your application, we always plan an intake with you and one of our advisers. Next, we and an external advisory committee will assess your application. Has your application process been successful? Then you need to inform us of your progress during the project period. You can still adjust your plans during this period. Or you may submit an application for an additional amount in the event of setbacks or delays. At the end of project we will jointly determine the subsidy amount and a repayment schedule. In the event that your project is not successful, we may be able to temporarily or fully suspend repayments of the approved credit amount.
Read more about the process following your application
Would you like to know more?
Read more about how The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can support you in business.
- The Framework Decision on national EZ grants. This decision contains information on most standard procedures. Such as those for payment of advances, reporting and notification of deviations in a project for which a grant has been awarded.
- Chapter 3 title 9 of the National EZ Grants Regulation. This chapter is part of the Framework Decision. It states to whom and for which activities grants are awarded.
- Subsidy game rules (in Dutch). The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate's subsidy game rules apply to this scheme. These subsidy game rules cover, for example, eligible costs and obligations of a subsidy recipient.
The applicable legal texts for the Innovation Credit can be found on overheid.nl. All the pages above are in Dutch.
It is wise to think carefully about intellectual property within your business strategy at an early stage. A smart strategy supports your business and adds value. With intellectual property rights (such as a patent) or alternatives (such as secrecy), you prevent others from making off with your innovation. Moreover, a protected product gives extra negotiating room if you are looking for partners or investors. Read more about patent and other intellectual property rights.
- Ministry of Economic Affairs
Featured
