Netherlands Allocates €2.5 Million to Boost Cybersecurity Innovation Through New Fund

2025-12-11 data

The Hague, Thursday, 11 December 2025.
Dutch companies can secure up to €100,000 in government funding to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, with applications open until February 10, 2026. The program prioritizes crypto-agility and affordable security tools to strengthen national digital defenses.

Strategic Focus on Two Critical Security Areas

The Cybersecurity Innovation Fund (CIF-NL) channels its €2.5 million budget toward two specific technological challenges that have emerged as critical vulnerabilities in the Netherlands’ digital infrastructure [1][2]. The first priority area focuses on crypto-agility, enabling organizations to rapidly and reliably manage and renew cryptographic resources including algorithms, keys, and certificates [1][2]. This capability has become essential as quantum computing advances threaten to render current encryption methods obsolete, requiring organizations to adapt their security frameworks swiftly. The second focus area targets the development of affordable and accessible cybersecurity solutions, addressing a persistent market gap where smaller organizations struggle to implement comprehensive digital protection due to cost and complexity barriers [1][2].

Funding Structure and Eligibility Requirements

The program offers substantial financial support with individual projects eligible for a minimum of €60,000 and maximum of €100,000 in subsidies [2][3]. For collaborative efforts involving multiple participants, each organization must receive at least €25,000 to qualify for funding [2][3]. Projects are strictly time-limited to one year duration and must commence within one month of subsidy approval [2][3]. The fund operates on a fixed hourly rate calculation of €60 for eligible costs, which include personnel expenses, equipment purchases, contract research, and facility usage [2]. Applications opened on December 9, 2025, and will close at 17:00 on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 [2][3].

Institutional Framework and Coordination

The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ) and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), demonstrating both national and European Union commitment to strengthening regional cyber defenses [3]. The Nederlands Cybersecurity Coördinatiecentrum (NCC-NL) coordinates the program operations, with Folkwin Poelman serving as program coordinator and primary contact for applicant inquiries [4][6]. The Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) manages the technical administration and application processing [3]. This multi-institutional approach ensures comprehensive oversight while leveraging expertise from both governmental and European cybersecurity authorities.

Market Impact and Success Stories

Previous iterations of the CIF-NL program have demonstrated tangible market outcomes, with companies like Deeploy benefiting from the 2023 funding round [2]. Maarten Stolk, CEO of Deeploy, highlighted the program’s impact, stating that the funding enabled his company to “invest in a new cybersecurity protection layer” addressing the growing challenge of AI system security oversight [2]. The program evaluates applications based on four key criteria: contribution to subsidy objectives, project plan quality, applicant suitability, and commercial viability in both Dutch and international markets [2]. Organizations interested in learning more about the program can attend informational webinars, with events scheduled for December 18, 2025, specifically targeting small and medium-sized enterprises seeking cybersecurity development financing [4][6].

Bronnen

government funding cybersecurity innovation