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Important questions about COMET

Step 1: Check whether your organization is located within the program area&nbsp;First, check whether your place of business is located within the program area. You can do this by clicking on 'View large map' on the <a href="https://www.comet-interreg.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">homepage</a>. A new window will open. Click on the magnifying glass and enter your place of business. If the area is colored green or blue, you are located within the program area and can participate in this program.Step 2: Check whether your organization falls within the EU definition of an SME&nbsp;Your organization must fall within the European Union's definition of an SME. Knowledge institutions can also participate in this program. According to the European Union, an organization is considered an SME if it meets all of the following criteria:<ul><li>The organization has fewer than 250 employees, and</li><li>Its annual turnover does not exceed €50 million, or its annual balance sheet total does not exceed €43 million.</li></ul>If you are unsure whether your organization meets these conditions, you can check this using the most recent annual figures.

How do I know if I am eligible for this grant?

The program focuses on innovations with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 to 7. It is also permitted to participate with an innovation that is at TRL 3 at the start of the project, provided that the innovation project aims to develop the innovation to at least TRL 4 during the project.This means that:<ul data-start="549" data-end="723"><li data-start="549" data-end="642">the innovation may still be in an experimental or proof-of-concept phase at the start, and</li><li data-start="643" data-end="723">the project plan must clearly substantiate how and when TRL 4 will be achieved.</li></ul>Innovations that do not reach at least TRL 4 at the end of the project, or that are already at TRL 8 or 9 at the start, fall outside the scope of this program.

What TRL level must my innovation be at to participate in this program?

Yes. The innovation project must involve cross-border cooperation between at least one Dutch and one German party.The following conditions apply:<ul data-start="552" data-end="796"><li data-start="552" data-end="624">Both parties must be based within the program area.</li><li data-start="625" data-end="704">Both parties must be SMEs or knowledge institutions.</li><li data-start="705" data-end="796">Both partners must make an active and substantive contribution to the innovation project.</li></ul>If you do not yet have a cooperation partner, you can fill in a <a href="https://www.comet-interreg.eu/nl-NL/direct-aanvragen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">project idea form</a>. Based on this, we can support you in finding a suitable partner in the program area.

Should there be collaboration between a German and a Dutch party within the innovation project?

What is included in personnel costs?Personnel costs consist of:<ul data-start="289" data-end="463"><li data-start="289" data-end="317">Wage and salary costs<ul><li data-start="289" data-end="317">For employees within the permitted job categories</li><li data-start="289" data-end="317">Only for hours actually worked within the project</li></ul></li></ul>For other costs, a fixed surcharge of 40% is applied. This means that these costs cannot be claimed separately, but are included in the fixed surcharge.What hourly rates apply?The following fixed hourly rates per job group apply to both SMEs and knowledge institutions:<ul data-start="753" data-end="894"><li data-start="753" data-end="818">FG2 – Sub-project leader: €58.50 per hour</li><li data-start="753" data-end="818">FG2 – Senior project assistant/specialist: €58.50 per hour</li><li data-start="819" data-end="866">FG3 – Project assistant: €41.50 per hour</li></ul>When are costs eligible for subsidy?Costs are only eligible for subsidy if:<ul data-start="975" data-end="1166"><li data-start="975" data-end="1031">They are incurred within the official project period</li><li data-start="1032" data-end="1099">The relevant sub-project has been approved by the steering group</li><li data-start="1100" data-end="1166">They relate to permitted job categories and project hours</li></ul>

What costs are eligible within this project?

Each company or knowledge institution is subject to a maximum number of participations in subprojects:<ul data-start="232" data-end="320"><li data-start="232" data-end="274">Maximum of 2 participations as lead partner</li><li data-start="275" data-end="320">Maximum of 2 participations as a project partner</li></ul>

How many times may I apply for this grant?

Where do I submit my application?An application can be submitted using the application form on the website.You can use the application forms for this purpose. These forms are available on the download page.<hr>When can I submit an application?Application periodThe application period for the COMET project runs from:January 1, 2026, to October 1, 2028, or earlier if the available budget and/or the maximum number of subprojects has been reached.CallsCOMET works with so-called open and closed calls. Project proposals can be submitted during an open call period. Once the call is closed, all submitted proposals are collected and submitted to the committee of experts for assessment. Applications can be submitted at any time while the call is open.These dates can be found on the <a href="https://www.comet-interreg.eu/nl-NL/calls-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">calls page.</a>

How do I submit an application?

Your project plan will first be assessed in terms of content by the advisory board. The advisory board will issue a positive or negative recommendation to the steering committee.The steering committee will then make the formal decision on whether to approve your application.When will the decision be made?Decisions are made during the steering committee meetings. The scheduled steering committee meetings are:<ul data-start="609" data-end="666"><li data-start="609" data-end="625">June 19, 2025</li><li data-start="626" data-end="645">October 30, 2026</li><li data-start="646" data-end="666">February 25, 2027</li></ul>After decisions have been made, the COMET project team will receive the steering group's decision. The project leaders will then inform you of the outcome of your application as soon as possible.

When will I hear if my subproject has been approved?

You may start the subproject on your own initiative before formal approval has been granted.Please note: this is entirely at your own expense and risk. Costs incurred before formal approval of the subproject cannot automatically be considered eligible for subsidy.We therefore advise you to wait for the steering group&#x27;s formal decision before starting to implement the subproject.

Can I start my subproject before it is approved?

The exact duration of your project is stated in the grant decision.After completion of the project, the following obligations apply:<ul data-start="252" data-end="396"><li data-start="252" data-end="319">You must submit a final report within one month of completion.</li><li data-start="252" data-end="319">You must submit your final declaration within one month of completion.</li><li data-start="320" data-end="396">A final meeting will be scheduled with you to conclude the project.</li></ul>Please note: Subprojects must be completed by September 15, 2028, at the latest.

What is the duration of my subproject?

During the term of your subproject, you, as the subsidy recipient, must submit a claim at least once a year.<hr>When can I submit my expense claim?We work with fixed claim periods, known as call periods. These periods will be communicated in good time.Claims can only be submitted within these fixed periods.<hr>What documents do I need to submit?You must include the following with your claim:<ul data-start="658" data-end="698"><li data-start="658" data-end="698">(Digitally) signed timesheets</li></ul>More information about the exact requirements and the process can be found later on the claim page.<hr>How and when will payment be made?<ul data-start="840" data-end="1196"><li data-start="840" data-end="936">The subsidy will be paid retrospectively on the basis of approved eligible costs.</li><li data-start="937" data-end="1054">Payment will be made directly to the project partners and not exclusively to the applicant (lead partner).</li><li data-start="1055" data-end="1196">Payment will be made within 30 days after Oost NL has received the funds from the Interreg VI A Netherlands-Germany program.</li></ul>Please note: The total period between submitting the claim and the final payment can take 2 to 4 months. Naturally, we strive to complete this process as quickly as possible.

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