Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026

Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 is sponsored by NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research). This loan is for companies (start-ups) that have just been initiated by researchers or entrepreneurs to make a knowledge innovation commercially viable. It can be used for activities like production processes, market research, or marketing/financing plans.

Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | NWO Take-off focuses on facilitating and stimulating activity and entrepreneurship from Dutch universities, NWO-acknowledged research institutes, universities of applied sciences and TO2 knowledge institutes.

This involves the creation of innovative (commcercial) activities are based on knowledge from above described knowledge institutes, that are being exploited by innovative start-up companies/ entrepreneurs. This can involve product, process, care or service innovation, from all scientific fields (beta/technology, life sciences and alpha/gamma).

For the Take-off phase 2 financing, start-up companies (max 5 years old from registration at Dutch Chamber of Commerce) can apply that have adopted knowledge from a Dutch university, a NWO-acknowledged research institute, a Dutch university of applied sciences or a TO2 knowledge institute. Take-off phase 2 financing is a subsidy in the form of a loan, with a maximum of €450.

000, to start-up companies, for the execution of an early phase plan. This loan includes an interest rate. The project duration of the project is 2 years.

Terms and conditions of the loan are further specified in the call for proposals. A full proposal must be submitted via our ISAAC system before Tuesday 24th February 2026 14:00:00 CEST . Please use the correct form (spring 2026, see tab 2 “Prepare”).

In the ISAAC system, a pre-proposal can be converted into a full proposal.

The ranking criteria for the Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 are: Knowledge base and innovativeness knowledge that forms the basis of the business idea; application possibilities and added value; market and commercial perspectives; scientific expertise applicant(s) and support staff; entrepreneurial and commercial skills; motivation and level of ambition of the team involved Quality of the project plan practical and economic approach; project budget, broken down by project activity; Your proposal will be assessed in one of the clusters (Bèta/Techniek, Alfa/Gamma, Life Sciences) by a cluster committee.

Take-off luster committees consists of a group of independent experts, including entrepreneurial scientists (from various scientific fields) and private financiers. In the interview round, applicants are given the opportunity to present their application to the cluster committee. The committee subsequently has the opportunity to ask questions for further clarification of the application.

Each interview day is overseen by a distinct cluster committee. Per cluster, a final funding advice is given to the board of NWO-domain Applied and Engineering Sciences. Responsible research data management is an essential component of good research practice.

Prepare a data management plan after the grant is awarded and before the project starts. NWO therefore encourages and facilitates researchers with various funding options, such as training courses, loans and grants for both individual researchers and teams. Applications must be submitted through the ISAAC application and reporting system.

If you do not have an ISAAC account yet, then please create one at least one workday in advance. More information about writing a proposal and which forms you need to use can be found in ISAAC.

Downloads for your application Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | call for proposals, in Dutch Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | application form Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | instructions application form Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | statement GBER Take-off phase 2 - Vroegefasetrajecten WO/HBO/TO2 Spring 2026 | budget form Online manual grant application system ISAAC ISAAC offers applicants for research funding the possibility to track their application in the assessment process.

The funding process explained NWO has a fixed procedure for handling all applications. Learn more about how the application procedure is set up – from the moment you apply until a decision is reached. You can read all the details about the application for funding in the Call for Proposals.

If you have any questions, please contact the contact person.