National funding opportunities

NWO
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) funds scientific research at Dutch universities and research institutes. NWO has several categories of funding instruments for researchers:

  • Large-scale, long-term research programmes
  • For individual researchers focused on encouraging talent
  • For the realisation and use of large-scale infrastructure
  • For curiosity-driven, non-programmed research
  • For research programmes focused on international collaboration and exchange
  • For knowledge dissemination and open access publication of research results

The funding instruments cover the entire spectrum of fundamental to applied research. The frequency of funding rounds varies per instrument. Please visit the NWO website for further information or NWO Funding for all funding programme information.

Private funding
Next to public funding, private funding for research projects and researchers is available on a national level through so-called “collectebusfondsen”. 
A non-exhaustive overview is provided below:

Netherlands Enterprise Agency
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland: RVO) helps with grants, finding business partners, know-how and compliance with laws and regulations. The target groups are: entrepeneurs in sustainable, agrarian, innovative and international business. More information on the different RVO subsidies and programmes can be found on the website. Please find below some information on relevant programmes and initiatives.

  • Innovation credit
    This scheme gives SMEs financial support for risky innovation projects. Only those projects are eligible which are technologically innovative and unique to the Netherlands. More information (in Dutch only).
  • WBSO (R&D tax credit) and RDA (Research and Development Allowance) Companies who perform R&D-projects can lower their R&D costs with the fiscal schemes WBSO and RDA. These schemes will be combined from 1 January 2016 onwards. More information (in Dutch only).

EP-Nuffic
EP-Nuffic is the expertise and service centre for internationalisation in Dutch education.
lease visit the NUFFIC website for further information.

Erasmus+
Erasmus+ offers a range of opportunities for Dutch organisations to access funding for education, training, youth and sport activities. Erasmus+ will also support transnational partnerships among Education, Training and Youth institutions and organisations to foster cooperation and bridge the worlds of education and work. It will also support Dutch national efforts to modernise Education, Training and Youth systems. Please visit the Erasmus+ website for further information.

Contact person
For more information contact your School/Institute funding advisor.