Call for Innovation Impact Challenge: IX for the Dutch Police

Are you an innovative entrepreneur with an interest in immersive experiences (IX)? Curious how you can turn your ideas into an innovative product? Then this Innovation Impact Challenge may be for you as solutions are being seeked to the challenges faced by the Dutch Police. Submit your expression of interest by 13 October at 12:00 CET

The Dutch police are facing rapidly changing societal and technological challenges. To remain effective and future-proof, new solutions are needed. This is why the Innovation Impact challenge IX has been launched, under the banner of the Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition (CIIC)

Immersive Experiences (IX)

Immersive Experiences (IX) are experiences whereby participants are immersed in a lifelike (non-physical) world. Multiple senses are stimulated by combining digital and physical tools. IX appears in various forms such as virtual reality, 360-degree image/video, augmented reality, interactive animation, and games. While IX is often digital, it is not exclusively so. Globally, IX is viewed as one of the drivers of the third major digital transition—a transition that will profoundly impact how we live, work, learn, and create.

Purpose

This Challenge seeks to transform often conventional practices to more effectively counter contemporary crime and to carry out the operations of the Dutch Police more efficiently. Policing is continuously evolving due to societal and technological developments. It is essential that police training, the use of specific exercises, and operational procedures also evolve to stay current and relevant.

The Dutch Police have used IX for several years, especially in police education. However, there is now need for a boost so that immersive solutions are also used in different ways of exercising and working in specific operational situations.

What is being sought?

They are looking for innovative IX solutions that help the Dutch Police to prepare more rapidly, effectively, and flexibly for changing societal circumstances (Theme 1). They are also interested in IX solutions to support and optimise their operational work in real time (Theme 2). Products and services developed under this Challenge should support both less experienced and more experienced police officers who carry out everyday duties on the streets (or in specific locations).

The Innovation Impact Challenge comprises a preliminary round and two phases:

• Preliminary Round: Expression of Interest. If you have a concept that fits this Challenge, you can submit an Expression of Interest.

• Phase 1: Feasibility study of the innovation.

• Phase 2: Research and development phase of the prototype.

Budget and Application Period

• Opening Date: Monday 8 September 2025, 09:00

• Closing Date: Monday 13 October 2025, 12:00

• Total Budget: €2,500,000

For each theme:

• Phase 1: up to €250,000 (incl. VAT), with a maximum of €25,000 per feasibility study (incl. VAT)

• Phase 2: up to €1,000,000 per theme, maximum €200,000 per project (incl. VAT)

Information Session 

An information meeting will be held on 22 September at HUB50 in Utrecht. Interested parties can register until 17 September 17:00. Click here to register for this information session.

How to apply 

If you have an idea, please click here to submit an Expression of Interest. It is important to submit your expression of interest by 13 October at 12:00. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for Phase 1. 

For all details and application documents visit the RVO website. 

Photo: Istock/Robert vt Hoenderdaal