Top 10 Equity-Free Grants in the Netherlands in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The Netherlands is a thriving hub for innovation, offering a wide range of equity-free grants to support startups, SMEs, and research initiatives.
These grants are designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth without requiring founders to give up equity.
Below is a curated list of the top 10 equity-free grants in the Netherlands for 2025, complete with details on funding amounts, conditions, topics, requirements, and links to their official websites.
1. WBSO (R&D Tax Credit)
2. Innovation Box
3. MIT (SME Innovation Stimulation Region and Top Sectors)
4. EIA (Energy Investment Allowance)
5. MIA/Vamil (Environmental Investment Deduction)
The Netherlands is a thriving hub for innovation, offering a wide range of equity-free grants to support startups, SMEs, and research initiatives.
These grants are designed to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth without requiring founders to give up equity.
Below is a curated list of the top 10 equity-free grants in the Netherlands for 2025, complete with details on funding amounts, conditions, topics, requirements, and links to their official websites.
1. WBSO (R&D Tax Credit)
- Funding Amount: Up to €1,582 million allocated for 2025, a significant increase from 2024.
- Conditions: Supports research and development activities, reducing wage costs for R&D staff and providing tax credits for prototypes or research equipment.
- Topics: Innovation in technology, engineering, and science.
- Requirements: Open to companies engaged in R&D activities, including startups and SMEs.
- Website: WBSO Scheme
2. Innovation Box
- Funding Amount: Reduced corporate tax rate of 9% on profits derived from innovative activities.
- Conditions: Applies to profits from patented inventions or technical software.
- Topics: Intellectual property and technological innovation.
- Requirements: Companies must demonstrate qualifying innovative activities.
- Website: Innovation Box
3. MIT (SME Innovation Stimulation Region and Top Sectors)
- Funding Amount: Varies by project, focusing on mission-driven innovation.
- Conditions: Supports R&D collaboration, feasibility studies, and knowledge vouchers.
- Topics: Technology, sustainability, and sector-specific innovation.
- Requirements: Open to SMEs and startups aligned with national technology strategies.
- Website: MIT Program
4. EIA (Energy Investment Allowance)
- Funding Amount: 40% tax deduction on energy-saving investments.
- Conditions: Applies to investments in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy.
- Topics: Sustainability and green energy.
- Requirements: Companies must invest in qualifying energy-saving technologies.
- Website: EIA Scheme
5. MIA/Vamil (Environmental Investment Deduction)
- Funding Amount: Tax deductions for environmental investments, with streamlined application processes in 2025.
- Conditions: Supports investments in eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices.
- Topics: Environmental sustainability and circular economy.
- Requirements: Companies must invest in qualifying environmental technologies.
- Website: MIA/Vamil
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6. DEI+ (Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation)
7. AanZET (Zero-Emission Trucks Acquisition)
8. SLIM (Stimulation of Labor Market Position)
9. Proof of Concept (PoC) Programme by KWF
10. Consortium Grant by Longfonds
Conclusion
These 10 equity-free grants provide invaluable support to startups, SMEs, and researchers in the Netherlands, enabling them to innovate, scale, and make a meaningful impact.
For more details, visit their websites and explore the wealth of opportunities they offer.
- Funding Amount: Up to €30 million per project, with an additional €84 million allocated for 2025.
- Conditions: Supports energy and climate innovation demonstrations.
- Topics: Renewable energy, carbon reduction, and climate solutions.
- Requirements: Open to companies and consortia working on innovative energy projects.
- Website: DEI+ Program
7. AanZET (Zero-Emission Trucks Acquisition)
- Funding Amount: Over €90 million allocated for zero-emission trucks in 2025.
- Conditions: Supports the acquisition of zero-emission vehicles, including hydrogen-powered trucks.
- Topics: Sustainable transportation and clean energy.
- Requirements: Companies must invest in qualifying zero-emission vehicles.
- Website: AanZET Scheme
8. SLIM (Stimulation of Labor Market Position)
- Funding Amount: Extended for five years, with specific conditions to be announced.
- Conditions: Supports employee training and development in SMEs.
- Topics: Workforce development and skills enhancement.
- Requirements: Open to SMEs investing in employee training programs.
- Website: SLIM Regulation
9. Proof of Concept (PoC) Programme by KWF
- Funding Amount: Varies by project, focusing on translating impactful innovations into clinical applications.
- Conditions: Supports projects related to ongoing or recently completed KWF-funded research.
- Topics: Healthcare, biotechnology, and medical innovation.
- Requirements: Applicants must align with KWF’s research priorities.
- Website: KWF PoC Programme
10. Consortium Grant by Longfonds
- Funding Amount: €1.4 million total, with €700,000 per consortium.
- Conditions: Supports collaborative research into chronic lung diseases.
- Topics: Medical research, lung health, and patient-centered innovation.
- Requirements: Projects must align with Longfonds’ research themes and involve patient input.
- Website: Longfonds Consortium Grant
Conclusion
These 10 equity-free grants provide invaluable support to startups, SMEs, and researchers in the Netherlands, enabling them to innovate, scale, and make a meaningful impact.
For more details, visit their websites and explore the wealth of opportunities they offer.
