NWO Take-off

Take-off is the Dutch Research Council's (NWO) flagship valorization instrument, designed to bridge the funding gap between research and the market in the early phase of an academic undertaking. The aim is to create innovative activity based on knowledge development and utilization by researchers at Dutch knowledge institutions, across all scientific areas from exact sciences and life sciences to humanities and social/behavioural sciences. Take-off has two components: 1. **Phase 1 — Feasibility Studies (Take-off academic education WO phase 1)** — Researchers can request EUR 30,000 to EUR 60,000 for a feasibility study of the commercial application of innovative ideas based on knowledge from Dutch institutions. The maximum study duration is 6 months. The deliverable is a report including the possibilities of a start-up. 2. **Phase 2 — Vroegefasetrajecten / Early-Stage Routes** — Companies (start-ups) initiated by researchers or entrepreneurs (academic, HBO, or TO2 institutions) can request a loan of EUR 50,000 to EUR 450,000. The loan funds the project for up to 24 months, bears interest, and must be repaid within 8 years. Phase 2 funds production-process development, market research, marketing plans, and financing plans to make a knowledge innovation commercially viable and to attract follow-on private or public investment. Take-off is implemented by NWO (Domain AES coordinator, with Social Sciences and Humanities and Science) together with ZonMw. The programme is financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Take-off is one of the grant instruments within NWO's Innovation Accelerator. In 2026, Phase 1 transitioned to a continuous-submission format with ten processing packages per year (instead of five) and twenty proposals per package (instead of forty). The 2026 Phase 1 awarding rate increased to 45 percent per package, with an annual grant ceiling of EUR 5,400,000.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.