The government has announced a new round of the National Growth Fund. A total of €375 million has been made available for projects that contribute to strategic industrial policy. This new round focuses on six priority markets: innovative chemicals, biotechnology, mechanical engineering, semiconductors, digital services, and defense-related applications. Do you have an idea for a large-scale project that contributes to the Netherlands’ sustainable earning capacity and economic resilience and aligns with one of these markets? Please contact VU IXA-GO to discuss the possibilities with Paul de Vries at p.m.de.vries@vu.nl.
About the National Growth Fund
The National Growth Fund invests in large-scale projects that contribute to the Netherlands’ sustainable earning capacity. The newly announced round makes €375 million available through the National Growth Fund Grant Program. Consortia of companies, research institutions, and other parties may apply for grants. According to the announcement, there is a minimum project size requirement and a minimum NGF contribution of €30 million; the maximum NGF contribution is €100 million. Projects will be assessed against the existing NGF criteria, including their contribution to sustainable earning capacity and their additionality relative to private investments.
According to the announced schedule, interested parties can submit initial draft plans to RVO for feedback starting in the fall of 2026 and will finalize their grant applications by the summer of 2027. Funding will become available for implementation starting in the fourth quarter of 2027. RVO expects to publish the grant program by the end of January 2027. The final terms and application deadlines have yet to be published. View the announcement of the new round and the latest information from RVO.
Projects from the first three rounds also offer opportunities for VU researchers, for example through calls for innovation projects with external partners. Keep an eye on the ongoing projects and their calls for proposals, and if you’re interested, contact VU IXA-GO via Paul de Vries at p.m.de.vries@vu.nl.