In short
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Maximum amount
Varies by project
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Remaining budget
€4.000.000,-
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Applications open from
30 june 2026
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Applications open until
TBD
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Subsidy percentage
35% - 45%
The activities for which this grant is intended include:
- Activities focused on developing, researching and/or testing a new or innovative product, process or service.
- Activities focused on conducting a feasibility study, industrial research or experimental development.
- Activities focused on developing and testing prototypes, demonstration models and proofs of concept.
You can receive a grant for costs including:
- Employee wage costs and business owners’ own hours.
- Costs for engaging external experts and knowledge institutions.
- Costs of materials and resources required for the innovation project.
- Rental and usage costs for equipment, machinery and research facilities.
- Other project costs directly related to carrying out the innovation project.
The amount of the grant and the eligible costs depend on the type of project and the activities being carried out.
Objective: Accelerating innovation and the regional economy in the Northern Netherlands
The VIA Drenthe–Fryslân grant supports innovative projects that contribute to the objectives of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation for the Northern Netherlands, known as RIS3. Its objective is to encourage innovation among SMEs and thereby strengthen the economic development and competitiveness of the Northern Netherlands.
The RIS3 strategy focuses on making use of opportunities arising from societal and economic transitions. By developing innovative products, services and processes, entrepreneurs contribute to a future-proof region with broad prosperity and sustainable growth.
The four key transitions are:
- The transition from a linear to a circular economy;
- The transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy;
- The shift from healthcare to health and well-being;
- The transition from analogue to digital.
Innovations that contribute to one or more of these transitions are strongly aligned with the objectives of the VIA Drenthe–Fryslân grant.
For: innovation, digitalisation, health, sustainability and circularity
Entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized enterprises that are established and active in Drenthe or Fryslân can apply for this grant.
A project eligible for the VIA Drenthe–Fryslân grant must focus on developing a new or innovative product, process or service. The project must also contribute to one or more societal and economic transitions in the Northern Netherlands, such as the transition towards a sustainable, circular, digital and/or healthy economy.
Provided by SNN
The VIA Drenthe–Fryslân grant is provided by the Northern Netherlands Alliance, Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland, or SNN.
Applications for VIA Drenthe–Fryslân 2025–2026 can be submitted through SNN’s online grant portal. During the entire application period, a company may receive a grant a maximum of two times for different projects.
The assessment and implementation of the scheme are handled by SNN, which is responsible for processing applications and checking compliance with the grant conditions.
Dependent on costs and expenditure
The amount of the VIA Drenthe–Fryslân grant depends on the nature of the project and the eligible costs.
- For an individual project, the grant amounts to a maximum of 35% of the eligible costs.
- For a collaborative project, the grant amounts to a maximum of 45% of the eligible costs.
The following limits also apply to the maximum grant amount:
- For an individual project, the grant for wage costs and business owners’ own hours combined is capped at €25,000, with a total maximum grant of €50,000 per project.
- For a collaborative project, the grant for wage costs and business owners’ own hours combined is capped at €50,000, with a total maximum grant of €100,000 per project.
Where required under European State aid rules, the final grant amount may be adjusted or reduced.
To make the information clear and easy to understand, we have rewritten the legal grant scheme in plain language.
This version is intended for explanatory purposes only; no rights can be derived from this text.
Tip from Enablemi
The budget for the VIA grant for SMEs in Groningen had already been fully allocated this spring. This indicates that SMEs in Drenthe or Fryslân should not wait too long before submitting an application for their idea.
Need advice?
