Industrial research by SMEs for dual-use for Defence
In January 2026, the first SME Defence call will open. This call invites high-tech entrepreneurs to collaborate with research organisations on innovative two-year projects for dual-use in the NLD areas space, quantum and smart materials from the Defence Strategy for Industry and Innovation 2025-2029. More information about the call and the definition of the requested innovations will follow in mid-November. The aim of this call is to connect more high-tech SMEs with the innovation challenges of Defence.
Defence and Hightech
With a total budget of €5 million, the call supports industrial research aimed at the development and application in these specific NLD areas. In doing so, Holland High Tech (High Tech Systemen en Materialen) strengthens the knowledge position and R&D capacity of SMEs, enabling innovations to reach the market faster and more effectively. It also contributes to the safety and autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe.
Contact
Do you have any questions about the SME Hightech call 2025? Ask our expert:
Daniëlle Kroonenburg (mail)
Programme manager
The call at a glance
Status: preliminary announcement
Budget: €5 million
Submission: Mon 5 January 12:00 – Fri 9 January 12:00, 2026
Information session: webinar Wed 3 December 12:30 – 13:30, 2025
Quickly to
Target group: hightech SMEs
This call focuses on high-tech SME participants. These are innovative micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that focus on developing technologies and applications of advanced (key) technologies and applications in hightech security. More requirements and information will be available in the full call text. Please note: an SME assessment from RVO is required for this call.
Budget
For the first edition (2025) of the SME Defence call, Holland High Tech has made a total budget of €5 million available, of which €3.3 million is allocated to SME participants.
The available budget falls under the Public-Private Partnership Innovation Programme (PPP-I) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
What can be applied for:
- SME (or the consortium of SME companies): maximum €300,000 for two years (maximum one application per main applicant)
- Research organization: maximum €150,000 for two years per project
- SMEs (or the consortium of SMEs) may finance up to 50% of their own eligible costs, with in-kind co-financing permitted
- Research organisations may finance up to 80% of the eligible costs
- SMEs (or the consortium of SMEs) must incur at least twice the costs of the participating research organisation(s)