PPP Innovation Scheme (PPP-I)

PPP Innovation Scheme

Provides co-funding for Dutch innovation projects in hardware, materials, and quantum domains with high-tech and manufacturing partners.

The PPP Innovation Scheme (PPP-I, formerly PPS-toeslag) is a recurrent R&D co-funding mechanism administered by Holland High Tech, the Netherlands' national coordinator for the High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) topsector. The scheme stimulates public-private partnership research aligned with the Dutch Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIAs). A knowledge institution — university or research organisation — must serve as the lead applicant; companies participate as consortium partners. Projects may run from one to six years. The funder confirmed this program is administered by Holland High Tech directly through its own portal, not via NWO or RVO.

Grant rates are tiered by research category: 80% for basic research, 50% for industrial research, and 25% for experimental development. Dutch SMEs receive a bonus on top of those base rates: +10% on the industrial research rate and +15% on the experimental development rate. These rates are sourced directly from the Holland High Tech PPP-I program page. Five submission windows are scheduled in 2026 — February 2, May 30, September 2, and two additional dates — with corresponding funding decisions in March, May, June, October, and December 2026.

The PPP-I scheme is designed for teams that can document alignment with one of the Dutch KIAs. Applications must be submitted through the Holland High Tech portal. Both domestic and international knowledge partners may participate, but the lead institution and primary operations must be Netherlands-based. The program contact is Programme Manager Ming Eikelenboom-Zeng. Teams considering the PPP-I should identify the applicable KIA and appropriate research category before submission, since the grant percentage and matching requirements depend on that classification.