SME Defence Call

SME Defence Call

Supports Dutch small and medium enterprises developing dual-use space, quantum, and advanced material technologies for security innovation.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The SME Defence Call 2025 is a dual-use technology development grant from Holland High Tech targeting Space, Quantum technologies, and Smart Materials — three priority domains within the Dutch Defence Strategy for Industry and Innovation 2025–2029. The program mirrors the SME Hightech Call in financial structure: SMEs receive up to €300,000 over two years at a 50% grant rate (co-financing required for the remaining 50%), and research partner organisations receive up to €150,000 at an 80% grant rate. Total budget was €5 million, with €3.3 million allocated to SME costs. Twelve SMEs were selected in the 2025 edition, with decisions announced May 2026.

Eligibility requires that the SME holds a valid SME declaration and that the proposed technology has clear dual-use application — meaning the innovation serves both civilian and defence purposes. Research partner costs must not exceed half of the SME's project costs. The same two-phase application process applied: portal account requests were due December 17, 2025; Phase 1 brief submissions ran January 5–9, 2026 (daily deadline 12:00 PM); Phase 2 full proposals were due March 27, 2026. Applications were submitted through the Holland High Tech portal at portal.hollandhightech.nl. The program operates under the Ministry of Economic Affairs PPP Innovation Scheme.

The 2025 call is closed. A 2026 edition aligned with the Defence Strategy is anticipated, but no formal call had been published at the time this record was compiled. Applicants in the Space, Quantum, or Smart Materials domains with dual-use research roadmaps should track the Holland High Tech website for the next opening. The programme's focus on domains with explicit national security relevance means that demonstrating alignment with the Dutch Defence Strategy is essential to a competitive application.