FAQs SME-calls 2025

Target groups and consortium

1. Q: Can I already submit an application as a private limited company in formation?
A: Unfortunately, this is not possible. A Kamer van Koophandel registration number is required in order to submit an application.

2. Q: My company has only just been registered with the Kamer van Koophandel. Am I eligible to participate?
A: An SME that has only recently completed its Kamer van Koophandel registration is also eligible for this call, provided that the company meets all conditions. However, we advise paying close attention to any foreseeable financial difficulties that could potentially hinder the implementation of the proposed research.

3. Q: Can I submit an application as a sole trader?
A: Participants must demonstrate, by means of an SME declaration, that they qualify as an SME. In short, if you meet the requirements of the MKB-verklaring (SME declaration), you may submit an application.

4. Q: Are universities of applied sciences eligible as a research organisation for this call?
A: Yes.

5. Q: What is meant by research organisations? For example, TNO?
A: Universities, TO2 institutions (including TNO) and universities of applied sciences all fall under the definition of a research organisation within this call. For the exact definition, see: onderzoeksorganisatie.

6. Q: Is there a preference for collaboration?
A: Holland High Tech does not have a preference regarding collaboration with specific types of onderzoeksorganisaties. SMEs are free to decide which type of research organisation they wish to collaborate with.

7. Q: Does the research organisation have to be based in the Netherlands?
A: Yes.

8. Q: May a consortium consist of more than one SME and more than one research organisation?
A: Yes. Please note that the available subsidy per project for SMEs must be divided among all participating SMEs. The same applies to research organisations within the consortium.

9. Q: May a research organisation participate in multiple projects?
A: Yes. A research organisation may participate in multiple projects.

10. Q: Is a matchmaking document available?
A: No. SMEs must form a consortium themselves with potential research organisations and other SMEs. We can, however, assist with approaching research organisations.

11. Q: Is there a template for the consortium agreement?
A: No. Holland High Tech does not provide a template for this. The consortium agreement is drawn up by the consortium partners themselves, potentially using their own template.

12. Q: When must the consortium agreement be signed?
A: The consortium agreement must be signed within three months after the grant has been awarded.

13. Q: Are large companies allowed to participate in the SME Hightech Call 2025 and the SME Defence Call 2025?
A: No. Large companies are excluded from participation in these calls.

Submission process and timeline

14. Q: Are only SMEs allowed to submit a project proposal, or may research organisations do so as well?
A: The main applicant of the project must be a Dutch hightech SME, with an R&D team based in the Netherlands. The main applicant is the party that submits the project proposal via the HHT Portal.

15. Q: May the proposal be submitted in English?
A: Yes, this is permitted. However, in phase 2 a public summary must be submitted in both English and Dutch.

16. Q: Are the requirements for submitting a phase 1 project proposal available in the HHT Portal? Can you view them once you have an account?
A: The requirements for submitting a phase 1 and phase 2 project proposal are described in the call manual. This document can be downloaded from the relevant call page. You can start completing the requirements in the HHT Portal from 5 January 2026 at 12:00.

17. Q: May an intermediary submit the application on behalf of an SME and therefore create the account in the HHT Portal on behalf of this organisation?
A: Yes, this is allowed. One user account may be requested per project proposal. This account is linked to a single email address. Only the person with access to that email address can monitor the progress of the submission. Please note: it is still required that an authorised signatory of the SME signs the SME declaration. This declaration is required in order to apply for a user account.

Research and selection

18. Q: Do you impose any requirements with regard to Intellectual Property?
A: The policy on Intellectual Property can be found in paragraph 7.5 of the call text.

19a. Q: If the research concerns prototype development (TRL levels 2 and 3), is this call also suitable?
19b. Q: Does the definition of industrial research (TRL levels 4 to 6) also apply to this call?
A to questions 19a & 19b: Under this call, we support industrial research with the corresponding TRL levels 2–4, in accordance with the RVO definition.

Project duration and start date

20. Q: May projects under this SME Hightech Call have a maximum duration of two years?
A: The duration of projects under this call must be exactly two years.

21. Q: Is it correct that a project may already be started before the grant has been awarded?
A: Yes, that is correct. The project start date may be after submission of the phase 1 project proposal. The latest possible start date is 1 October 2026, resulting in 30 September 2028 as the latest possible project end date.

Grant, costs, co-financing and budget

22a. Q: Which cost calculation methodologies apply to this call?
22b. Q: Is it possible to use a flat-rate hourly tariff, and if so, is this a fixed hourly rate?
22c. Q: What requirements apply to hourly rates?
A to questions 22a to 22c:
The SME Hightech Call 2025 and the SME Defence Call 2025 fall under the PPS-innovatieregeling (from 2024 onwards). Eligible costs may be calculated in accordance with one of the three standard cost calculation methodologies as described in Articles 11 to 14 of the Kaderbesluit EZ-subsidies. These articles also explain the applicable hourly rates.

23 Q: Do the SME and the university, as partners within one consortium, have to apply the same funding methodology?
A: No, they do not. Each participant may choose its own cost calculation methodology. This choice must remain the same for each participant throughout the entire project duration, and all project activities must be administered accordingly. Please note that if the integrale kostensystematiek (IKS) is chosen, the organisation concerned must have a valid IKS registration with RVO.

24 Q: May the grant under this scheme be used to (partly) pay for a researcher who is already employed on a permanent contract?
A: Both an SME and a research organisation may use this grant to fund a new or an existing researcher.

25 Q: Is a private cash contribution still required under this call?
A: No, a cash contribution from the SME is not required under this call.

26 Q: What is the permitted ratio between the total costs of the SME and the total costs of the research organisation?
A: As SMEs are considered to be leading in the projects under this call, we expect the SME (or the consortium of SMEs) to incur at least twice the costs of the participating research organisation(s). In other words, SME costs must account for at least two-thirds of the total project costs.

27 Q: What exactly is meant by ‘in-kind co-financing’?
A: ‘In-kind co-financing’ refers to a form of contribution to the project that is not provided directly in cash, but for example in the form of materials, equipment and facilities, deployment of staff, etc.

28 Q: Are the amounts inclusive of VAT (BTW)?
A: The method for calculating costs is explained in paragraph 7.3 of the call texts. This section provides information on eligible costs and the VAT (BTW) issue.

29 Q: Is it correct that the maximum grant per project is EUR 450,000, of which EUR 300,000 is for one or more SMEs and EUR 150,000 for a research organisation?
A: In addition to these amounts, requirements apply with regard to the grant percentages. Below is a complete overview of what may be applied for:

• SME(s): a maximum of 50% of own costs per SME and no more than EUR 300,000 for the SMEs combined
• Research organisation(s): a maximum of 80% of own costs per research organisation and no more than EUR 150,000 for the research organisations combined
• The SME (or the consortium of SMEs) must incur at least twice the costs of the participating research organisation(s)

30 Q: If an SME pays the remaining 20% of the research organisation’s costs, do those costs count as eligible costs for the SME?
A: No, these costs do not qualify as eligible costs for an SME. Each participant calculates its own costs for the activities carried out by its organisation within the scope of the proposed research. If an SME pays the remaining 20% of the research organisation’s costs, this is considered in-cash co-financing for the project.

31 Q: May this grant be combined with other subsidies? For example, WBSO, Eurostars, etc.?
A: Under certain conditions, cumulation of subsidies is permitted. This depends on the conditions of each scheme. It is important to consult the relevant grant providers. For this SME Hightech Call, the provisions on cumulation of different subsidies as laid down in the Kaderbesluit nationale EZK- en LNV-subsidies apply.

WBSO is not a subsidy but a fiscal incentive. Combining this with the grant is possible. Please note that the project administration must comply with the conditions of both schemes.

32 Q: May any training costs for employees be co-financed?
A: Unfortunately, training costs do not qualify as eligible costs under this scheme. More information can be found on eligible costs.

33. Q: Is an auditor’s statement required for project accountability?
A: Paragraph 7.8 of the call texts describes what is required for the determination of the projects.

SME Hightech Call 2025-related questions

34. Q: Is it possible to select multiple innovation domains upon submission?
A: No, you must select one innovation domain on which the project proposal will be assessed.

35. Q: May you submit another project if you received a grant under the SME Hightech Call 2024?
A: No, applicants who received a grant under the SME Hightech Call 2024 are excluded from participation in the SME Hightech Call 2025.

36. Q: Which projects were awarded under the SME Hightech Call 2024?
A: Thirteen projects were awarded under the previous call. Details can be found here.

SME Defence Call 2025-related questions

37. Q: If a technology has already been patented by the company, is the technology still relevant for Defence?
A: Yes, the technology is still relevant.

38. Q: Do the production and inspection of Smart Materials also fall under this call?
A: Production does, but inspection does not.

39. Q: How is ‘dual-use’ assessed under this scheme? Does a project need to be primarily military-oriented, with civil applications as a possible add-on? Or may a project be primarily focused on the civil market, provided there are potential spin-off applications for defence?
A: In this context, this means that the project must in any case have a clear and well-substantiated dual-use application. It is therefore not required for the project to be primarily military or primarily civil, as long as the intended innovation can demonstrably be relevant to both domains.

40. Q: Does Space refer to aviation and aerospace, or does it relate exclusively to outer space?
A: It relates exclusively to outer space.

41. Q: Are UAVs and UASs also part of the NLD Area Space within this call?
A: No, these topics are not part of the NLD Area Space in this call.

42. Q: Does this concern only space assets themselves, or also Earth observation based on space assets?
A: Earth observation based on space assets also falls within the scope of this call.