Subsidy overview 2026
Find the right innovation subsidy for your company
The Netherlands offers over €2 billion annually in innovation funding. Most companies use only one programme, the smartest companies stack multiple.
Updated: April 2026
10+
Programmes
€10M+
Max per company
95%+
WBSO approval
Free
Subsidy scan
Compare at a glance
Which subsidy fits your project?
| Programme | Type | Rate | Max | Deadline | Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WBSO 95%+ approval | Tax credit | 36-50% | €1,8 mrd | 3x per year | Any innovating company | Details → |
MIT AI track available | Project grant | 35-40% | €350k | Spring | SMEs in top sectors | Details → |
SLIM AI Act compliance | Training grant | 60% | €25k | Apr & Aug | All SMEs | Details → |
Innovation Credit Repay on success only | Government loan | 50% | €10M | Continuous | SME & enterprise | Details → |
EU AI Act Legal deadline | Compliance | Combined | - | 2 aug 2026 | Companies using AI | Details → |
WBSO
Tax credit36-50%
Rate
€1,8 mrd
Max
3x per year
Deadline
The foundation of any subsidy strategy. Get back up to 50% on R&D labor costs. Over 20,000 companies use it yearly.
MIT
Project grant35-40%
Rate
€350k
Max
Spring
Deadline
Feasibility studies and R&D collaboration. Specific AI track for ML/AI projects. Combines perfectly with WBSO.
SLIM
Training grant60%
Rate
€25k
Max
Apr & Aug
Deadline
Fund AI literacy training for your team. AI literacy becomes legally required August 2026. Round 1 open now.
Innovation Credit
Government loan50%
Rate
€10M
Max
Continuous
Deadline
Government-backed loan for high-risk innovation. Only repay if the project succeeds commercially.
EU AI Act
ComplianceCombined
Rate
-
Max
2 aug 2026
Deadline
AI literacy becomes mandatory. Multiple subsidies cover compliance costs: SLIM for training, WBSO for technical adaptation.
All programmes
Each programme explained
Tax credit
WBSO
The foundation of any subsidy strategy. Get back up to 50% on R&D labor costs. Over 20,000 companies use it yearly.
€1,8 mrd
Max
36-50%
Rate
Learn more →
Project grant
MIT
Feasibility studies and R&D collaboration. Specific AI track for ML/AI projects. Combines perfectly with WBSO.
€350k
Max
35-40%
Rate
Learn more →
Training grant
SLIM
Fund AI literacy training for your team. AI literacy becomes legally required August 2026. Round 1 open now.
€25k
Max
60%
Rate
Learn more →
Government loan
Innovation Credit
Government-backed loan for high-risk innovation. Only repay if the project succeeds commercially.
€10M
Max
50%
Rate
Learn more →
Compliance
EU AI Act
AI literacy becomes mandatory. Multiple subsidies cover compliance costs: SLIM for training, WBSO for technical adaptation.
-
Max
Combined
Rate
Learn more →
Strategy
Recommended combination per company type
Early-stage startup
Start with WBSO at the 50% starter rate. Add MIT for broader project costs. Innovation Credit for scaling.
Growing SME
Triple combination for maximum benefit: WBSO for dev hours, MIT for project costs, SLIM for team upskilling.
Traditional business digitalizing
Start with SLIM for training and Mijn Digitale Zaak for first digital steps. WBSO when projects become technically innovative.
AI-focused company
Layer WBSO for dev hours with MIT R&D AI track for collaboration and EU AI Act subsidies for compliance.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which subsidy fits my company?+
That depends on your company size, sector, and innovation type. The WBSO suits virtually any company doing R&D. The MIT scheme is for SMEs in top sectors. SLIM is ideal for retraining employees. The Innovation Credit fits larger innovation projects. Stratalytic helps determine the optimal mix through a free subsidy scan.
Can I combine multiple subsidies?+
Yes, this is actually recommended. The WBSO covers R&D labor costs, MIT covers broader project costs, and SLIM finances training costs. A combined approach can cover over 50% of total project costs. The same costs cannot be double-funded.
What are the key deadlines in 2026?+
The WBSO has three application moments per year. The MIT scheme opens in spring (first-come-first-served). SLIM has annual opening periods (April and August). The Innovation Credit can be applied for continuously. Stratalytic tracks all deadlines for you.
Who qualifies?+
Most programmes are open to companies based in the Netherlands that innovate. The WBSO is available to both employers and self-employed. The MIT is for SMEs (up to 250 employees). SLIM targets all SME sectors. The Innovation Credit is for both SMEs and large enterprises.
Are there subsidies for EU AI Act compliance?+
Yes. The SLIM subsidy covers AI literacy training (mandatory from August 2026). The WBSO and MIT can be used for technical adaptations. EDIHs offer free compliance guidance.
How do I get started?+
Start with a free subsidy scan at Stratalytic. We analyze your situation and create a subsidy calendar. The process from scan to first application takes 2-4 weeks.
What does an application cost?+
At Stratalytic, the subsidy scan is free. For WBSO and MIT, we combine the application with project execution, no separate advisory fees. The subsidy is directly factored into the project budget.
What is the approval rate?+
The WBSO has an approval rate of over 95%. The MIT has limited budget and operates first-come-first-served. The Innovation Credit is more selective. Strong technical justification significantly increases chances.
Opening calendar
What opens next?
Sorted by opening date, the moment that actually counts. Budgets are often gone on day one.
- until Sep 30, 2026EFRO· first-come, first-servedOpen now
- until Oct 1, 2026Digital Europe Programme· tender, assessed on qualityOpen now
- Mar 1, 2027 ~SLIM (individueel mkb)· lottery on opening dayNext round
- Apr 7, 2027 ~MIT-haalbaarheid· lottery on opening dayNext round
- Apr 7, 2027 ~MIT R&D-samenwerking AI· tender, assessed on qualityNext round
- Jun 1, 2027 ~SLIM (samenwerkingsverband)· lottery on opening dayNext round
- Jun 9, 2027 ~MIT R&D-samenwerking· tender, assessed on qualityNext round
Year-round (no fixed window): WBSO, Innovatiekrediet.
Get a heads-up before your scheme opens
Pick a scheme and your region. We'll reach out personally, well before it opens, to prepare your application.
Discover your subsidy potential
Schedule a free subsidy scan. We analyze your company and calculate the total available funding across all programmes.
