KIEM HighTech 2024

With the KIEM HighTech 2024 subsidy scheme, Holland High Tech and Regieorgaan SIA stimulate technical innovation through collaboration between researchers, SMEs and other practical partners.

What is KIEM HighTech?

KIEM HighTech is a subsidy scheme from Regieorgaan SIA (part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) in collaboration with Holland High Tech. The aim is to (exploratively) investigate new practical questions through practice-oriented research activities. The subsidy scheme finances one-year exploratory practice-oriented research projects in which practical partners (such as companies) and researchers work together.

What is the goal of KIEM HighTech?

The aim of KIEM HighTech is to (exploratively) investigate new practical questions through practice-oriented research activities. These research activities are carried out by a network of knowledge institutions and practice partners (companies). With this scheme, the SIA organization encourages both network formation and the exploration of practical questions that could be a seed for a follow-up project or a technological innovation.

When does my project fit within KIEM HighTech?

A project fits KIEM HighTech if it falls under one of the fifteen technological roadmaps of Holland High Tech or fits in with at least one of the key technologies that are central to this KIEM scheme. Details about the fifteen technology roadmaps and key technologies can be found in the call text. If you have any doubts about the suitability of the project, please contact Regieorgaan SIA.

I am an entrepreneur and have an innovation question for my company that would fit well with KIEM HighTech. How do I get in touch with a research group/college so that we can develop and submit a project application together?

Contact Regieorgaan SIA or one of Holland High Tech's innovation brokers.

What can I apply for in KIEM HighTech?

In KIEM HighTech, a grant of up to 40,000 euros can be applied for by researchers affiliated with certain types of research organizations. The grant is intended for research by these researchers. Practical partners cannot receive a subsidy through the KIEM HighTech subsidy scheme.

Who can submit a project application to the KIEM HighTech subsidy scheme?

Project applications can only be submitted by colleges, universities and some other (type) research organizations. Details about the organizations that can submit can be found in the call text section 3.1.

What requirements does KIEM HighTech have regarding the composition of the consortium?

A consortium consists of at least the applicant party (research organization) and at least one SME partner. Naturally, multiple partners may participate in the consortium. More details about consortium requirements can be read in the call text.

What is an SME under the KIEM scheme?

In the context of the KIEM scheme, the following definition of an SME company is used: an SME company is registered with the Chamber of Commerce, develops an economic activity regardless of its legal form and has fewer than 250 employees, an annual turnover of less than €50 million and a balance sheet total of a maximum of €43 million. To determine whether these maximums are met, a company that is part of a group of companies or a concern must include the personnel, turnover and balance sheet total of this group. If you have any questions, please contact Regieorgaan SIA.

What contribution is expected from the SME?

The SME and other partners are expected to make an in-kind contribution that must be equal to 25% of the subsidy provided. This contribution may consist of (for example) hours worked and the provision of materials. Contributions from large companies and knowledge institutions are excluded from this 25%. More details about the expected contributions can be read in the call text.

How much time does it take for an involved SME to become part of the project application?

For the SME, the time commitment is limited because the research organization writes and submits the application. The involvement of the SME in preparing the application consists of clarifying the research question and signing the application form.

What does first come, first served mean?

If the available budget of the subsidy scheme is insufficient to award all applications with a positive assessment, the order in which the project applications are received is decisive. The principle of first come, first served is applied. This means that applications that have been processed earlier are also more likely to be eligible for a subsidy. Please note: this does not concern the moment the application is submitted, but the moment the application is completely correct and can be processed.

How long will it take before I hear whether the submitted project will receive a subsidy?

The assessment period from submission moments (deadline for submission) to decision is 12 weeks. The KIEM HighTech timeline can be found on the website of Regieorgaan SIA.