€2.7 million for knowledge and innovation

Visiting a colleague to see a new cultivation method, learning how a technique works during a demonstration, or testing a new solution alongside researchers. Farmers and horticulturalists in Limburg will have additional opportunities to do so this autumn. The Province of Limburg and the European Union are jointly making €2.685 million available for two schemes designed to encourage knowledge-sharing and help bring new solutions to practical application.

“A farmer must be able to decide on his own farm: will this work for my business, and can I make a living from it? Sometimes it helps to see what’s already working at a colleague’s farm. Sometimes you need to be able to test a new idea together. With these schemes, we’re giving farmers the scope for both: learning and innovating. So that they can make choices that will help their business move forward,”  says Provincial Executive Member Jasper Kuntzelaers (Agriculture).

See what works first

For Knowledge and Information (KI), €685,000 is available for knowledge transfer to groups of farmers, for example through workshops, training courses and demonstrations. Knowledge providers, farmers and partnerships can apply for a grant from 7 September to 19 October 2026. The grant covers 80 per cent of the eligible costs, with a minimum of €50,000 and a maximum of €100,000 per application.

Innovating together

Under the Collaboration for Innovation (EIP) scheme, €2 million is available for new, widely applicable initiatives. These might include new technology, an improved revenue model or a new supply chain from farmer to consumer. Partnerships involving at least one farmer can use this funding to develop, test and refine new concepts, products or services for practical application. Of this amount, €1 million will go to agricultural experimental sites, €250,000 to organic farming and €750,000 to other collaborative projects. Applications can be submitted from 1 October to 12 November 2026.

Interested?

Applications must be submitted digitally to Stimulus Programme Management. Information sessions are also being organised for both schemes, during which interested parties will receive an explanation of the scheme and the application process. The dates and further details regarding these sessions can be found on the website of Stimulus.

Background

Both schemes form part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the National Strategic Plan (NSP). Through these, the Province of Limburg and the European Union are working towards an agricultural sector in which farmers can earn a decent income whilst at the same time making progress in the areas of soil, water, biodiversity and climate.