New grant scheme for technological innovation

A new component within the existing MIT subsidy scheme, the government has announced the availability of a new subsidy scheme for technological innovation in the field of sustainable animal products.

Increase market share

The grant scheme for technological innovation allows SME entrepreneurs to investigate whether their concept to produce or market sustainable animal products is technically and economically feasible. The aim of the scheme is to increase the market share of sustainable animal products compared to more commonly produced animal products. The financial scope should ensure that entrepreneurs can acquire knowledge of new products, production processes and services and apply it in their business. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) is making 1.35 million euros available for the subsidy scheme. This is a new component within the existing MIT subsidy scheme (SME innovation stimulation region and top sectors).

Strengthening earning capacity

Minister Schouten: "With this subsidy scheme I want to give everyone in the animal food chain, from livestock farmers to supermarkets, the opportunity to develop innovative ideas to bring their sustainable animal products to the market. An important condition is that the idea also contributes to strengthening the earning capacity of the livestock farmer. We need the entrepreneurial spirit of all parties to make the change to sustainable animal production."

Content MIT scheme

SME entrepreneurs can apply for subsidies via knowledge vouchers and feasibility projects from 7 April to 10 September 2020. A knowledge voucher can be handed in at a knowledge institution to, for example, collect information about the effect of a changed feed composition of own land on the emissions of the livestock farm. With a feasibility study, an entrepreneur can research and analyze what resources are needed to make the project successful. Consider, for example, a technical feasibility study on the development of new sustainable animal products that can be produced with a lower CO2 footprint per unit.

Later in the year, from June 11, 2020, it is also possible to obtain a subsidy for 'Research & Development' (R&D) collaboration projects. With this, the SME entrepreneur can test and develop new technology for improving the taste of a sustainable animal product.

Conditions

The main condition for eligibility for the grant is that it is a new technology. In addition, the technology must contribute to the marketing of a more sustainable animal product and the project must contribute to the earning capacity of the livestock farmer. In the coming period several schemes will open that contribute to the transition to circular agriculture. More information about this MIT scheme for sustainable animal products can be found at RVO.nl.

Source: Government