The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs provides 14.55 million euro for the digitization of the industry. With funding from the Smart Industry Field Labs (SIF) grant scheme, companies and research institutions can develop, test and implement Smart Industry solutions in a pilot environment. A part of the SIF grant is an interest-free loan. Applications can be submitted from 1 February till 31 March.

How does the SIF grant work?
The SIF grant wants to promote the digitization of the industry. Think of the smart use of new production technologies, such as 3D printers, in combination with ICT. The SIF grant makes it possible to finance a project that includes experimental development, managing an innovation cluster or a combination thereof. The grant covers 60% of the eligible costs to a maximum of 3 million euro per project. The eligible costs per project must be at least 1 million euro. The subsidy per beneficiary must be at least 25,000 euro. The SIF grant consists for two-thirds of an interest-free loan that must be repaid within five years.

Who can apply for funding for Smart Industry field labs?
All participants in a Smart Industry fieldlab can apply for SIF funding. The following parties should in any case cooperate in a field lab:
• four or more entrepreneurs, of which two or more SMEs;
• one or more research organizations;
• one or more educational institutions.

This stimulates the connection between research, education and policy.

Apply for a SIF grant
Companies and research institutions can apply for a SIF grant from 1 February till 31 March 2017. Please note that for an innovation cluster, only the legal entity that manages the innovation cluster is allowed to apply for the grant. We will assist you in drafting a grant application with a high success rate. Please feel free to contact us.