Following a highly successful KIEM HighTech call in 2024 and 2025, the KIEM HighTech 2026 grant program will launch early next year. With the KIEM HighTech grant program, the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (Regieorgaan SIA) and Holland High Tech stimulate technological innovation by promoting collaboration between researchers, SMEs, and other practical partners. The program is expected to open at the end of January. From that date, applicants can submit grant applications to the Regieorgaan SIA in two rounds. Submissions are on a first-come, first-served basis. On Wednesday 11 February 11 we will be hosting a webinar with more information about this program.
What is KIEM HighTech
Holland High Tech and Regieorgaan SIA organize this accessible grant program for one-year exploratory research into concrete innovation questions from the field – questions that are relevant to companies, particularly SMEs. Companies collaborate with universities of applied sciences, universities, or other research organizations in KIEM HighTech.
Regieorgaan SIA and Holland High Tech support this grant program to:
- To form new networks between companies and researchers,
- and to address practical questions that can later lead to follow-up projects and/or technological innovations.
For which themes can you apply for KIEM HighTech?
A project is eligible if it contributes to the development or improvement of technology within one of Holland High Tech's ten innovation domains:
- Circular Economy
- Sustainable Mobility
- Energy Materials
- Imaging Technologies
- Mechatronics & Optomechatronics
- Optical Systems & Integrated Photonics
- Quantum Technologies
- Semiconductor Technologies
- Smart Industry
- Systems Engineering
The full list of innovation domains can be found in the call for proposals, which is expected to be published at the end of January.
Practical research into key technologies
By focusing the research question on these innovation domains, the awarded projects also connect to:
- the prioritized key technologies from the National Technology Strategy (NTS),
- and the key technologies as mentioned in the Key Technologies Knowledge and Innovation Agenda.
Budget
Regieorgaan SIA and Holland High Tech are jointly financing the program. The subsidy ceiling for this call for proposals will be announced upon its launch.
Submission dates
- 24 March 2026 before 14:00
- 15 September 2026 before 14:00
Please note: we operate on a first come, first served basis for all submissions.
Applicants
The grant applicants are research organizations. In addition to the applicant, the consortium consists of at least two practical partners, at least one of which must be an SME based in the Netherlands.
Webinar KIEM HighTech 2026
Interested in learning more about the new KIEM HighTech 2026 subsidy program? Register now for the KIEM HighTech 2026 webinar, Wednesday 11 February, 12:30 - 13:30. We'll explain how this program facilitates short-term research. Entrepreneurs and researchers will share their experiences successfully implementing KIEM HighTech.
