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Subsidy for innovation projects

Do you have an innovative idea that could contribute to the Einstein Telescope? Would you like to explore new market opportunities, collaborate across borders, and establish a strong position within major European high-tech projects? Then submit an application for the Interreg VI project COMET and receive up to €75,000 in funding.We’ll guide you from idea to application, including helping you find the right partners.

<ul><li data-list-item-id="e7e289e101216bfcc34dc34095009814c">For small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions in the border region. The program area in the Netherlands includes the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg. The program area in Germany includes the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.</li><li data-list-item-id="e680fb2a90addda4d54e8e9adc68da7d6">No partner? No problem. We’ll help you find a suitable collaboration.</li><li data-list-item-id="ead77af777a6d14b9bde4b118a9beb8aa">Subsidy of up to €75,000.</li><li data-list-item-id="e5606fe52e6528083a87f36c57080902f">The subsidy covers up to 50% of the project costs.</li><li data-list-item-id="e002cbc2b47843d6cc1055392cfd60d3a">The subsidy is intended to cover personnel costs.</li><li data-list-item-id="ef37721d1b783289cabd2dd4022af5c6c">Applications may be submitted from January 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.</li><li data-list-item-id="ea6123225c235b9ce3e38184d0a97eeb6">All applications will be reviewed by the Beirat (advisory committee) and the Interreg steering group.</li><li data-list-item-id="ee0a4be30a500d1ad81093333ace2edfe">The project must be completed by September 15, 2028, at the latest.</li><li data-list-item-id="efc9ca9a41c1ae64855c1581b0c79454c">The project must begin within approximately 3 months of approval.</li></ul>

Key features of the subsidy

<ul><li data-list-item-id="e2af6cb4212ffeda5673be6e118a63a64">A project must be carried out by at least two independent organizations from the Netherlands and Germany within the program area. Partners may consist of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on both sides of the border, or a collaboration between an SME and a research institution. The program area in the Netherlands includes the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg. The program area in Germany includes the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.</li><li data-list-item-id="ed5292fc2c168a92c57b6d2965b7bb146">Projects focus on TRL 4–7. Project TRLs are defined as follows: TRL 4: Test the technological concept on a laboratory scale by developing a prototype.&nbsp; TRL 5: Investigate how the prototype functions in a relevant environment. TRL 6: Test and demonstrate the prototype in a relevant test environment. TRL 7: Test and demonstrate the prototype in a user environment to prove its functionality in an operational setting.</li><li data-list-item-id="e25c79cd98cec7f93f3de85ea412dc799">The goal is for partners to collaborate and contribute to a (partial) solution for specific ET challenges, particularly in the following technology domains: Optics, Laser Interferometry, Vacuum &amp; Cryogenics, Active Noise Mitigation, and Advanced Data Processing.</li></ul>To view all subsidy conditions<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cms.comet-interreg.eu/uploads/Subsidievoorwaarden_COMET_93c3279ccf.pdf">,</a> download <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cms.comet-interreg.eu/uploads/Subsidievoorwaarden_COMET_93c3279ccf.pdf">“Subsidy Conditions COMET.pdf.”</a>

What are the eligibility requirements?

Test your project idea with no obligation

<h3>Still unsure?</h3>Do you have a good idea, but no partner or detailed plan yet? Or are you unsure whether you meet all the requirements?Test your project idea with no obligation, or get in touch with us. &nbsp;We’d be happy to brainstorm with you.