Dutch Government Offers Funding for Research Consortia to Drive Innovation
The Hague, Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
The Netherlands announces a funding initiative for consortia under ‘KIC Demand-Driven Research by Consortia – XL’, aiming to boost innovations addressing societal challenges, emphasizing public-private collaboration.
Call for Proposals and Objectives
On 14 July 2025, the Dutch government made a significant announcement regarding the availability of funding for research consortia under the ‘KIC Demand-Driven Research by Consortia – XL’ initiative. This program is designed to foster public-private partnerships aimed at addressing major societal challenges through innovative research. The initiative seeks to enhance collaborations among various stakeholders, including public and private entities, to create impactful solutions that benefit society at large [1].
Funding Details and Application Process
The funding available per research proposal ranges from a minimum of €1.4 million to a maximum of €7 million, with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) financing between 50% to 70% of the total project budget. The remaining 30% or more must be obtained through mandatory co-financing, with at least half of this co-financing provided by private sector participants [1]. The application process involves a two-step submission, starting with a preliminary application due by 10 March 2026, and a comprehensive application by 21 January 2027 [1].
Priorities and Strategic Alignment
The consortia are encouraged to align their proposals with one or more of the six Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIAs) established by the Dutch government’s mission-driven innovation policy. This alignment ensures that research efforts are strategically focused on areas of national importance, thus maximizing the societal impact of the innovations developed [1]. The program supports the co-design, co-creation, and co-production of research endeavors wherein partners actively collaborate during all stages of the project’s lifecycle. This collaborative framework aims to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions into the economy and society [1][2].
Upcoming Information Session
An online informational session hosted by the NWO is scheduled for 19 September 2025. Prospective applicants can participate to gain insights into the call and to clarify any questions regarding the submission process. Although attendance is not mandatory, early registration is encouraged and can be completed until the meeting date. Participants who register ahead of time will receive access details in the correspondence leading up to the session [1].