Innovation credit

The Innovation Credit is intended to stimulate promising and challenging innovations that carry a high risk, but can potentially have a major impact.

The Innovation Credit loan covers part of the development costs and only needs to be repaid if the project is successful. This lowers the threshold for companies to invest in risky innovative projects. The loan has favorable terms compared to commercial loans, such as a lower interest rate and flexible repayment terms.

The following applies to the total development costs of a project:

• maximum 35% financed for SMEs.
• up to 45% financed for small SMEs
• (both up to a maximum of € 40 million).

The interest rate on the risk-bearing credit depends on the risk profile and is between 4% and 7%.

The budget for 2024 is:

• €30 million for clinical development projects.
• €30 million for technical development projects.

Criteria for projects eligible for Innovation Credit are:

• The project must be a technical development, meaning that it is aimed at creating something new or significantly improved, technologically unique to the Netherlands;
• Clinical development projects, including preclinical and phase I and II clinical research, are also eligible;
• The project must specifically focus on the experimental phase before market introduction, which is a risky phase that is difficult to finance through traditional market methods.

• Feasibility: The technical feasibility of the project must be demonstrable;
• Financial implementation: There must be room to absorb financial setbacks. It must be clear at the time of award how you will arrange the other financing;
• Financial scope: There is a minimum of € 150,000 in project costs;
• Project duration: The product, process or service must be able to be brought onto the market within 5 years;
• Also important: The Innovation Credit may not be combined with other government grants.

You can submit applications throughout the year and each application is assessed individually. However, applications are assessed in order of receipt.

We have 25 years of experience in applying for Innovation Credits. Are you curious whether your work is eligible for this scheme? Please contact us without obligation, we will be happy to take a look with you and give you appropriate advice.