Grant for Cyber Resilience for Small Businesses Open Today

The ‘Mijn Cyberweerbare Zaak’ (My Cyber Resilient Business) grant scheme will reopen to small businesses on 7 September, State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Willemijn Aerdts has announced. The scheme provides entrepreneurs with financial support to implement measures that better protect their businesses against digital threats. Following strong interest in 2025, it has been decided to open the scheme again in 2026. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is once again making €1 million available this year.

Cyber resilience is a prerequisite for doing business safely. Yet micro and small businesses are taking the fewest measures to improve their cyber resilience. This was once again highlighted by the 2025 Cybersecurity Monitor. For many small businesses, therefore, it remains important to get the digital basics in order.

“Digital resilience starts with the basics. So don’t wait until a cyber incident affects your business, but take action now. The Mijn Cyberweerbare Zaak grant lowers the threshold for small businesses to invest in digital resilience and implement practical measures. It is a great opportunity to get the basics in order and turn good intentions into action.”

— Eefje Zents, NCSC Director of Cooperation & Digital Resilience

What can entrepreneurs receive a grant for?

Through the ‘Mijn Cyberweerbare Zaak (MCZ)’ grant scheme, entrepreneurs can invest in a range of measures that contribute to improved digital resilience. In 2025, more than 1,100 applications were received for the MCZ grant. The largest share of applications came from the information and communications sector (18%). This was followed by consultancy, research and other specialised business services (15%), while health and social care ranked third (10%). The fewest applications came from the education sector, accounting for just 7% of the total.

The applications mainly concerned secure network access/Wi-Fi (26%), setting up and testing backups (19%) and antivirus software (11%). The CyberVeilig Check for self-employed professionals and SMEs also proved to be an important factor in applicants’ choice of measures: 71% of applicants based their choice on the results of this tool.

In 2026, small businesses can apply for grants for eight cyber resilience measures:

• Secure network access/Wi-Fi
• Password manager
• Two-factor authentication (2FA), two-step verification and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Patch management (managing and applying security updates)
• Antivirus software
• Setting up and testing backups
• Risk assessment and evaluation
• Cyber awareness training

A total budget of €1 million is available. Self-employed professionals and SMEs with a maximum of 50 employees and an annual turnover of no more than €10 million can receive reimbursement for 50% of the costs of purchasing or implementing one or more cyber resilience measures, up to a maximum of €1,250 per applicant. Applications can be submitted from 7 September until 30 November 2026, or until the available budget has been exhausted.

Cyber resilience starts with insight

Before applying, entrepreneurs can complete the CyberVeilig Check for self-employed professionals and SMEs. This check provides insight into the measures their business can take to improve its digital foundations. Entrepreneurs can then purchase an eligible measure and apply for the grant through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

The Mijn Cyberweerbare Zaak scheme lowers the financial barrier to investing in cyber resilience. For small businesses in particular, implementing basic measures can make an important difference to protecting their business.

Source:Subsidie voor cyberweerbaarheid kleine bedrijven binnenkort van start
Photocredits: iStock/Kunakorn Rassadornyindee