Grant for an International Custom Project (Subsidie voor een Internationaal Maatwerkproject)

Grant for an International Custom Project (Subsidie voor een Internationaal Maatwerkproject)

Supports Flemish companies with tailored internationalization projects targeting growth and emerging markets.

The Subsidie voor een Internationaal Maatwerkproject is a rolling-intake export subsidy from Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) that funds bespoke internationalization projects by Flemish SMEs and business organizations that do not qualify under any of FIT's standard subsidy categories. The program covers 50% of approved project costs up to a maximum grant of €12,500 for standard applicants, with an enhanced rate of 75% and a maximum of €18,750 for first-time or infrequent applicants — defined as companies with fewer than four approved FIT applications since 1 September 2005. Eligible project costs are capped at €25,000 ex-VAT; if in-house personnel execute the project, a supplemental personnel-cost allowance of €4,000 applies. Target activities must be directed at markets where the applicant has limited or no current sales, preferably emerging economies or high-growth markets, and the project must demonstrate clear economic added value for Flanders. Applications are accepted on a continuous rolling basis through FIT's MyFIT portal and must be submitted at least 7 days before the project start date; FIT targets a decision within 75 days of a complete submission. A two-year cooldown period applies: companies that received a prior Maatwerkproject award cannot reapply until two full years have elapsed. For-profit companies and non-profit business organizations based in Flanders are eligible; universities and research organizations are excluded. This program is intentionally designed as a catch-all for initiatives that fall outside FIT's event, travel, digital communications, and prospecting-office tracks, making it suitable for custom market-entry research, local partnership development, or pilot commercial activities in new territories.