MIT South Feasibility Study Grant Scheme

The subsidy scheme MKB Innovation Stimulation Top Sectors South Netherlands stimulates innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. The scheme has two instruments: Feasibility projects and R&D cooperation projects. On April 12, the subsidy scheme for testing the feasibility of an innovation will open.

More information about MIT South can be found at liof.nl and at stimulus.nl/mit-zuid/.

In this article Janneke Gardeniers, Policy Officer Economy & Innovation at the Province of Limburg and Miriam Verhees, Business Developer at LIOF, tell you about the MIT South scheme. What does it entail, when are you eligible and how does the application procedure work?

"The most important thing is that your innovation project contributes to at least one of the five missions or key technologies defined in the policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK). Whereas these missions were based on sectors in the past, they are now four Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIAs):

• KIA energy transition and sustainability
• KIA agriculture, water and food
• KIA health and care
• KIA security
• KIA key technologies

The subsidy can be applied for by individual SMEs, established in the southern Netherlands (Limburg, Brabant and Zeeland). The condition is that the project must benefit that specific part of the country. The subsidy amounts to 40% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of € 20,000 per project. It works on a 'first come, first serve' basis so good preparation and speed is essential," says Janneke.

Janneke: "The Province of Limburg is primarily involved in determining the preconditions. By making money available, a subsidy pot is created. There are certain conditions involved. We also help think about the content of the scheme, but the implementation lies with Stimulus. We think it is especially important to stimulate innovation in SMEs that benefits the social tasks/missions that we have as a country and region."

"Many entrepreneurs think they are unable to submit an application because the idea is still too young. But that's often not the case. Our advice is to just do it. Suppose your plan does not receive a positive assessment, then you have already put the idea down on paper. We can then help you further with the application form. You can download the application form from the Stimulus website. Then you start filling in the information and have someone from LIOF read it over with you," explains Miriam.

Miriam: "LIOF stimulates innovations and sustainable growth in Limburg. It is in our interest that many entrepreneurs apply for funding. And that entrepreneurs who want to apply, can do so as successfully as possible. The goal is for good ideas to actually be developed. We draw the attention of entrepreneurs to the fact that such a scheme exists, but we can also proofread your plan and remove any mistakes. So that it is just that little bit sharper and better.

The LIOF factsheet

The Stimulus factsheet

Other documents of Stimulus

Click on the link below for all the information and submit your application starting April 12!