Science for Industry Call 2026: Up to €1.2 Million for Public-Private Life Sciences & Health Innovation Projects in the Netherlands

Health Holland has launched the Science for Industry Call 2026, providing at least €5 million in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) funding to support collaborative research and development projects within the Dutch Life Sciences & Health (LSH) sector.

The programme is designed to accelerate the translation of scientific research into innovative products, services, and technologies that address healthcare challenges while strengthening the Netherlands' innovation ecosystem and economic competitiveness.

Through this call, companies and research organisations are encouraged to jointly invest in industry-driven research and development activities that have strong commercial potential, scientific excellence, and societal impact. Projects should focus on developing market-ready solutions that contribute to health innovation, economic growth, and the resilience of the Dutch healthcare system.

The Science for Industry Call specifically supports collaborations where scientific expertise is applied to solve clearly defined industrial challenges, helping bridge the gap between research and commercialisation.

Funding Available

Health Holland has allocated a minimum budget of €5 million for this funding call.

Applicants may request between €500,000 and €1.2 million per project.

Funding support is available as follows:

• Dutch research organisations may receive PPP subsidy covering a percentage of eligible project costs.
• Dutch SMEs may receive PPP subsidy covering a percentage of eligible project costs.
• Dutch large enterprises may receive PPP subsidy covering personnel costs only, up to a maximum of €250,000.
• Healthcare institutions, patient organisations, foundations, and international partners may participate in projects but are generally not eligible to receive PPP subsidy directly.

Cash contributions are permitted but are not mandatory. Consortium partners are expected to contribute through co-financing arrangements, either through in-kind contributions, financial contributions, or both.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to public-private consortia consisting of:

• At least one Dutch company
• At least one Dutch research organisation

Additional consortium partners may include:

• Universities
• Research institutes
• Healthcare providers
• Hospitals
• Patient organisations
• Foundations
• Non-profit organisations
• International collaborators

The main applicant must be:

• A for-profit company established in the Netherlands
• Responsible for leading the consortium
• The organisation from which the primary research and development challenge originates

Please note that Dutch micro-SMEs may participate as consortium partners but cannot act as the main applicant.

Eligible Countries

The programme primarily supports organisations based in the Netherlands.

Eligible applicants include:

• Dutch companies
• Dutch research organisations
• Dutch SMEs
• Dutch universities
• Dutch healthcare institutions

International organisations may participate as consortium partners where relevant, but the majority of research and development activities must take place within the Netherlands.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to innovation within the Life Sciences & Health sector and focus on developing sustainable, commercially viable products and services.

Relevant innovation areas may include:

• Medical technologies
• Biotechnology
• Digital health solutions
• Artificial intelligence in healthcare
• Precision medicine
• Diagnostics
• Therapeutics
• Health data technologies
• Medical devices
• Health system innovation
• Preventative healthcare solutions

Projects must demonstrate a clear pathway toward commercialisation and real-world implementation.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must ensure that:

• The consortium includes at least one Dutch company and one Dutch research organisation.
• The project addresses a clearly defined industrial challenge.
• Research activities primarily take place within the Netherlands.
• At least 80% of personnel costs incurred by Dutch participants are generated within the Netherlands.
• Projects involve industrial research and/or experimental development activities.
• Consortium partners provide co-financing contributions.
• A standard consortium agreement provided by Health Holland is used.
• Each company participates in a maximum of two applications.

Projects should demonstrate strong collaboration between industry and research partners and show clear economic and societal benefits.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Scientific and technological excellence
• Innovation potential
• Commercial viability
• Economic impact
• Societal impact
• Quality of the consortium
• Feasibility of implementation
• Strength of the business case
• Market potential
• Contribution to the Dutch Life Sciences & Health ecosystem

Projects that demonstrate strong public-private collaboration and a clear route to market will be particularly competitive.

Important Dates

Call Publication: March 2026

Mandatory Pre-Registration Deadline: 14 July 2026

Full Proposal Submission Deadline: 22 September 2026

Project Selection and Evaluation: October – November 2026

Funding Decisions Announced: December 2026

Expected Project Start Date: February – May 2027

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