NWO offers €4.95 million for new research-based startups
NWO has opened its autumn 2026 application round to support research-based startups. Up to €4.95 million is available to aid in the commercialisation of company ideas.
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has opened the autumn 2026 application round for its Take-off phase 2 program. The initiative aims to support research-based startups with potentially commercialisable innovations. A total of up to €4.95 million is available for distribution this year.
NWO anticipates funding no more than 11 projects in this round. The available funding can be used for, among other things, assessing and developing the market potential of ideas. The program is financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate and is part of NWO's broader initiative to foster entrepreneurship linked to academic and applied research.
The current application round introduces several changes. Pre-registration is no longer required, allowing applicants to submit a full application directly. Furthermore, the correction period for administratively rejected applications has been extended to ten working days. Applicants must also adhere to specified scoring thresholds and submit all mandatory documentation, including cash flow forecasts and feasibility studies.
NWO will host an online information session for prospective applicants on August 25, 2026. The Take-off program is designed to accelerate the transition of research-based innovations into commercial activities. The initiative seeks to support the transformation of promising scientific and applied research outcomes into viable business opportunities.