Innovatiekrediet 2026 explained: a loan you only repay on success

Key Takeaways: The Innovatiekrediet is not a grant but a risk-bearing credit (loan) for serious technical or clinical development projects. The remarkable part: you repay only on commercial success, if the project fails, the debt is (partly) written off. It finances up to 45% of development costs (50% with collaboration), with a maximum of €10M (technical) or €5M (clinical). The minimum project is €150,000, the 2026 annual budget is €50M. It is available year-round, first-come until the budget runs out, so apply early in the year.

A loan, not a gift, and why that's good news

Most innovation schemes are grants: you get a percentage of your costs back, full stop. The Innovatiekrediet works differently. It is a loan from the government (RVO), but one with an exceptional condition: you only have to repay it if your project succeeds commercially.

If development ends in a technical or clinical failure, the credit is (partly) written off. The government therefore shares in your risk. That makes the Innovatiekrediet ideal for projects that are too risky or too large for a regular bank, but that do carry a serious commercial outlook.

In exchange for that shared risk, the assessment is strict: RVO thoroughly evaluates the technical feasibility, the commercial outlook and your financing plan. This is not a scheme for a first exploration, for that you have the MIT feasibility grant.

The figures for 2026

Technical versus clinical development

The Innovatiekrediet has two tracks, each with its own maximum:

• Technical development (up to €10M): developing a technically new or substantially improved product, process or service, think of a new device, a new production process or advanced software/AI with a clear technical risk.
• Clinical development (up to €5M): clinically testing a new medicine or medical device, aimed at market authorisation.

In both cases the project must carry a substantial technical or clinical risk (otherwise a bank would have financed it) and a convincing commercial outlook (otherwise you'd never earn it back). The minimum project size of €150,000 means this is a scheme for serious R&D, not for small experiments.

Year-round, but first-come

Unlike the MIT feasibility grant, the Innovatiekrediet has no fixed window: you can apply year-round. But note the flip side, applications are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, until the €50 million annual budget runs out.

That has a clear consequence: apply early in the year. Anyone who waits until the autumn risks finding the pot already (largely) allocated. Unlike a lottery, here speed does count, but only with a complete and well-substantiated dossier.

Count on 2 to 4 months of preparation

An Innovatiekrediet application is not a form you fill in within a week. RVO expects a full dossier:

1. A technical development plan with phasing, milestones and the technical or clinical risk
2. A commercial plan that substantiates how and when you'll earn the credit back
3. A financing plan with the remaining coverage of the project (own funds, other financiers)
4. A justification that without this credit the project would not get off the ground, or not in time

Count on 2 to 4 months to put this together properly. So start well before the moment you need the money, and, given the year-round first-come budget, preferably early in the year.

Combining with WBSO

The Innovatiekrediet and the WBSO complement each other perfectly. The WBSO compensates your R&D wage costs via payroll tax (36%, 50% for start-ups), while the Innovatiekrediet pre-finances the broader development costs of the project. Together they cover both your hours and the remaining project costs. See the WBSO 2026 rates and the full subsidy calendar 2026-2027 to align the timing. All details on the credit are on the Innovatiekrediet page.

Applying early pays off, have your dossier checked

Because the budget is allocated first-come, applying early in the year is the difference between getting financing and missing out. We assess whether your project fits and build a dossier that passes both the technical and the commercial test. Book a free check and get in the queue on time.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Innovatiekrediet a grant or a loan?

A loan, a risk-bearing credit. You repay it only if your development project succeeds commercially. If the project fails, the debt is (partly) written off. That places it between a grant and a regular bank loan: more risk for the government, more room for you.

How much does the Innovatiekrediet finance and what is the maximum?

Up to 45% of development costs, or 50% for a collaboration project. The maximum is €10 million for technical development and €5 million for clinical development. The minimum project size is €150,000. The annual budget for 2026 is €50 million.

When can I apply for the Innovatiekrediet?

Year-round (continuously). Applications are handled on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual budget runs out, so apply early in the year. Count on 2 to 4 months of preparation for a well-substantiated dossier.