Got a pioneering project? Applying for a grant is easy!
You can apply for a pioneering project grant of up to €10,000 to help a strong team develop your idea into a demo, pilot or experimental design. Submitting an application is a simple 4-step process. We look forward to hearing about your innovative idea!
The most important condition is that your project is aligned with our goals in 1 of 3 focus areas (Strong Internet, Strong Internet Users or Internet & Society), and meets the criteria for pioneering projects.
You don't have to be an organisation to submit a pioneering project application. Ideas from students are very welcome, for example.
How to apply
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Stap 1
Check that your project is eligible.
Do the Quick Scan (in Dutch) and read the criteria for pioneering projects.
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Stap 2
Not sure about something? Got a question?
Fill in our web form and we'll get back to you.
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Stap 3
All lights on green?
Submit your application via our FundPro application system. The application consists of a questionnaire, short video pitch and (if you are submitting as an organisation) a Trade Register extract and annual accounts.
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Stap 4
We'll tell you whether we can support your project within 6 weeks of getting your application.
Criteria for pioneering projects
You are eligible for our support if your innovative project is of value to society, has the potential to make an impact in 1 of our focus areas, and is viable beyond our funding period. It's also essential that the results of your project and the knowledge and experience you gain will be shared. The general criteria below will be taken into consideration when evaluating an application. Please note: additional criteria sometimes apply in relation to themed calls.
Your idea/project:
Makes an impact (in the longer term), initially in the Netherlands, that's relevant to the mission or focus areas of SIDN Fund.
Has added societal value and is not aimed at a single company or person. The project results will be available to the public, and knowledge and experience will be shared as a matter of course.
Is of high quality. This is assessed by means of the problem outline and the substantiation of the solution.
Is innovative. It is based on a new idea, the application of an existing idea in a new context, or a new application of digital technology. Your substantiation of your project's innovative qualities is important.
Is preferably new. How long have you been working on the project? Have you previously received financial support for your idea/project?
Fulfils a need and is therefore result-oriented. The need must be clear and evidenced. You'll need to show us how you established that the need exists within the target group.
Is supported by a team with sufficient capacity and expertise to be a succes. We value diversity within the team.
Preferably involves collaboration with relevant players in the Dutch internet sector, such as registrars, hosters or internet providers.
Will be completed within 6 months of the start date.
You won't qualify for funding if your project:
Develops or improves a website without substantial innovation in services, functions or processes that contribute to the mission of the Fund.
Only impacts a single company or person, is a purely B2B proposal, or involves product development for the benefit of a single company.
Deploys innovative technology without a clear social problem or demonstrable need within a clearly defined target group (or 'technology in search of a problem').
Involves sponship or an event.
Is a standalone media production such as a podcast or video (which is not part of a larger project and/or lacks a concrete plan for dissemination and use).
Has a religious or party-political objective.
Involves structural organisational costs, operating costs and salary costs that cannot be attributed to the project.
Does not involve the active and proactive sharing of results and knowledge.
More information
Got a question about the call or about our procedures that isn't answered above? Check out our FAQs or get in touch!
*Although projects aimed at the development of teaching packages to support digital citizenship and/or digital skills align well with our Empowering Internet Users theme, we have paused our funding of such projects. Having supported many such projects in recent years, we felt it was appropriate to undertake a review. An impact assessment is currently being carried out, the findings of which will inform our future policy in this field. Pending the outcome of that process, we cannot consider funding applications for pioneering projects of the type described. We expect to complete the review by summer 2024.