Kansen voor West III Opens New Funding Opportunities from October 2026

From 12 October 2026, at 10:00 a.m. where applicable, new funding opportunities and changes to existing funding schemes will take effect under the Kansen voor West III programme. The changes include new funding calls for defence dual-use technologies, circular water, AI and cybersecurity, and strategic clean technologies under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). Existing schemes will also benefit from increased budgets, broader eligibility, greater flexibility and extended deadlines.

The funding opportunities are available across Flevoland, North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht and the City of The Hague. They aim to support innovation, accelerate the development and application of new technologies, and strengthen collaboration between businesses, research organisations and other partners.

1. North Holland: Funding for defence dual-use innovation

North Holland will launch a new Defence Dual Use voucher scheme (4.1.PNH.1), with an ERDF contribution of €1,013,991 and a total funding ceiling of €1,015,183.

The scheme targets entrepreneurs developing technologies with both civilian and defence or security applications. Through ROM InWest, businesses can apply for advice vouchers of up to €20,000, with subsidies covering up to 70% of eligible costs, or innovation vouchers of up to €100,000, with subsidies covering up to 50%.

The scheme opens on 12 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

2. South Holland: STEP funding and additional support for field labs

South Holland will introduce two new funding calls under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), supporting strategic technologies and clean-tech innovation.

The Large-Scale Innovation Projects scheme (3.1.PZH.1) will have an ERDF contribution of €1.185 million and a total budget of €2 million, including co-financing. It focuses on strategic technologies and large-scale innovation projects.

The Heating Networks and Storage – Clean Tech scheme (3.1.PZH.2) will provide €1.2 million in ERDF funding for local heating networks and heat storage.

Both schemes are scheduled to open on 12 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

In addition, the existing Fieldlabs 3.0 Development scheme (1.1.PZH.10) will receive an additional €1.21 million, comprising €225,000 in ERDF funding and €985,000 in co-financing. This will bring the total funding ceiling to €8.21 million.

The additional funding is intended for existing field labs in South Holland seeking to expand their activities and services, further develop innovations, accelerate the practical application of new technologies and strengthen collaboration with SMEs. The maximum subsidy is €800,000.

3. Utrecht: New AI and cybersecurity funding and changes to existing schemes

The Province of Utrecht and the City of Utrecht will introduce a new AI and Cybersecurity voucher scheme (1.1.PU.9), with a funding ceiling of €456,743. The scheme targets SMEs developing or applying innovations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digitalisation. ROM Utrecht Region will serve as the point of contact.

Two existing schemes will receive additional funding and greater flexibility:

• EdTech (1.1.PU.7): an increase of €120,000, bringing the total funding ceiling to €620,000. Advice vouchers of up to €6,000 and pilot vouchers of up to €40,000 are available.

• Energy Transition (1.1.PU.8): an increase of €240,000, bringing the total funding ceiling to €740,000. Advice and pilot vouchers are available up to €6,000 and €40,000 respectively, with subsidies covering up to 40% of eligible costs.

The changes will take effect on 12 October 2026.

The existing U-Forward Health (1.1.PU.5) and Circular Economy (1.1.PU.6) schemes will also become more flexible. Both have funding ceilings of €750,000, and the separate budget limits for pilot vouchers will be removed.

Furthermore, the end date of the GTI Utrecht scheme for transitions in GTI areas and labour potential (5.1.SU.G1), previously set at 31 December 2026, has been removed.

4. The Hague: New STEP funding for clean technologies

The Hague will launch a new STEP funding call for clean and resource-efficient technologies (3.1.SDH.1). The scheme will provide an ERDF contribution of €1,490,217 and focus on strategic clean technologies and resource efficiency.

The call is scheduled to open on 12 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

5. Flevoland: New opportunities for defence

Defence Dual Use (1.1.PF.6) will support entrepreneurs developing innovations and technologies with both civilian and defence or security applications. The scheme has an ERDF contribution of €700,000 and a total budget of €1.5 million, including co-financing. Advice vouchers of up to €25,000 and innovation vouchers of up to €50,000 are available, with subsidies covering up to 75% of eligible costs. The Province of Flevoland is the point of contact.

How to apply

Businesses and organisations interested in applying for funding can follow these steps:

1. Find the right funding call. Review the available schemes and identify the one that best matches the proposed innovation or project here.

2. Contact the relevant scheme administrator. Each funding call has its own point of contact.

3. Discuss the project idea and eligibility requirements. Check whether the proposed activities meet the scheme’s conditions before preparing an application.

4. Gather the required documents and approvals. Application documents are available here.

5. Submit the formal application. Applications must be submitted through the EFRO web portal.

Applications for the new schemes are scheduled to open from 12 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m., where applicable. Applicants should check the specific conditions of each funding call, including any rules on application order or available budgets.

For a full overview of the available funding and applicable conditions, visit the Kansen voor West III funding overview.

Photo: Istock.com/PhanuwatNandee