Call at a glance
- Status: Pre-announcement
- Budget: €5 million
- Submission period: Monday 5 January 12:00 – Friday 9 January 12:00, 2026
- Information session: Webinar on Wednesday 3 December 2025, 12:30 – 13:30 (Dutch)
Defence and High-Tech
With a total budget of €5 million, the call supports industrial research focused on the development and application of technologies in these specific national strategic domains.
In doing so, Holland High Tech strengthens the knowledge base and R&D capacity of SMEs, enabling innovations to reach the market faster and more effectively.
At the same time, this initiative contributes to the security and strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe.
The call has been developed by Holland High Tech, in collaboration with the Ministries of Defence and Economic Affairs, and Climate Policy.
Target group: High-tech SMEs
This call is aimed at high-tech SME participants - innovative micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises focused on developing advanced (key) technologies and applications in high-tech security.
Further requirements and details can be found in the full call text. Note: An SME declaration from RVO is mandatory for participation.
Budget
For the first edition (2025) of the SME Defence Call, Holland High Tech has made a total budget of €5 million available, of which €3.3 million is reserved for SME participants.
The available budget falls under the Public-Private Partnership Innovation Scheme (PPS-I) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
What can be applied for
SMEs (or SME consortia):
- Maximum €300,000 for a two-year project (one application per lead applicant)
- May finance up to 50% of eligible costs, with in-kind co-financing permitted
Research organisations:
- Maximum €150,000 for a two-year project
- May finance up to 80% of eligible costs
Additional requirement:
- The SME (or SME consortium) must incur at least twice the costs of the participating research organisation (s).
