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The ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Innovation Fund is designed to help researchers transform promising EU funded research results into validated, derisked innovations with real economic or societal impact. 

It supports projects across different development stages and is directly linked to the ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Innovation Radar, ensuring that the most promising innovations receive targeted funding and expert support. 

A Pilot Program with Growing Ambition

The Innovation Fund currently focuses on innovations originating from EU-funded projects.
If successful, the program will expand to include regional and Dutch research projects in future phases.

Note: Only Stage 1 and Stage 2 are currently active. Stage 3 is on hold pending approval of ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Participations’ new investment strategy

Stage 1 – Exploration (€20,000 | 3 months)

Early validation of commercial or societal potential (preliminary feasibility assessment), initial IP assessment and strategy and submission of proposals for external grants. Open to all pathways to impact.

Readiness requirements:

• Commercial impact projects: required TRL 2–3 

• Societal impact projects: Equivalent readiness based on stakeholder validation and uptake feasibility   

Timeline:

• Rolling applications year-round  
• Internal ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø review  
• Decision within ~2 weeks 
   

Stage 2 – De-risking (€50,000 | 6 months | required TRL 3-4)

De-risking of technology, preliminary business plan, team formation, commercialization or societal uptake strategy, and submission of proposals for external grants. Open to all pathways to impact.

Readiness requirements:

• Commercial impact projects: required TRL 3–4 

• Societal impact projects: Equivalent readiness based on demonstrated stakeholder interest, validated need, realistic implementation plan

Timeline:

• Evaluated via cutoff rounds (see below)
• Independent Innovation Fund Review Committee evaluation  
• Decision within ~4–5 weeks after the cutoff date 

Cut-off Dates 

Note: The cut-off dates may be updated on the Innovation Fund website. 

Researchers employed by ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø whose innovation:

• Originates from an EU project (active or recent), and
• Has been assessed through the ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Innovation Radar

Not yet on the Radar?

Contact the Impact Officer Paris Rallis for an Innovation Readiness Assessment before applying.

What we expect

• Actual-cost budgeting with clear milestones
• CAPEX only for essential demonstrators/prototypes
• Compliance with ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø procurement policies
• Milestone-based progress reporting
• Commitment to commercialization or societal uptake pathway

1. Review the detailed Guidelines in the downloads and 

2. Confirm your Innovation Radar status

3. Contact the Impact Officer to discuss your project and begin preparing your application.