Funding schemes

FIMC can contribute to proposal development for any funding scheme as long as the writing language is English or Dutch. Below a short description of some popular funding schemes is given.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest research and innovation funding programme, with a budget of €95.5 billion for the 2021–2027 period. It aims to address global challenges, foster sustainable development, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness. Designed to drive scientific excellence and innovation, the program supports projects that contribute to the EU’s strategic priorities, including the European Green Deal, digital transformation, and health advancements.

The funding mechanism is structured across three main pillars: 

  • Excellent Science: This pillar focuses on advancing frontier research, supporting talented researchers through grants from the European Research Council (ERC), and funding international research collaborations via Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
  • Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness: It addresses societal challenges and strengthens key industrial technologies, with a focus on areas like climate change, health, food security, and clean energy.
  • Innovative Europe: This pillar promotes market-creating innovation and scaling up startups and SMEs, with support from the European Innovation Council (EIC).

In addition, Horizon Europe introduces key features such as Missions—focused initiatives tackling specific global challenges (e.g., climate-neutral cities or cancer research)—and Partnerships, fostering cooperation between public and private entities. The program also places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, open science practices, and inclusivity, encouraging gender balance and participation from underrepresented regions.

Funding opportunities are accessible through competitive calls published in work programs. Applicants must submit detailed proposals outlining the project’s scientific and technical objectives, societal impact, and implementation plan. Proposals are evaluated by independent experts based on criteria such as excellence, impact, and feasibility. Collaboration is central, with many calls requiring consortia involving organizations from at least three EU or associated countries.

Horizon Europe also offers support for specific stakeholder groups, including SMEs and low-capacity regions, ensuring equitable access to funding and resources. With its expansive scope and structured mechanisms, Horizon Europe is a powerful driver for research and innovation across Europe and beyond.

Search for calls: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home

Innovation Fund

The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programs for innovative low-carbon technologies. Designed to accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral economy, the fund supports groundbreaking projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance renewable energy and energy storage, and decarbonize energy-intensive industries. With an estimated budget of €38 billion (2020–2030), sourced from revenues generated by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the Innovation Fund plays a critical role in helping the EU achieve its climate goals under the European Green Deal. 

The fund focuses on large-scale and small-scale projects, with distinct mechanisms for each: 

    • Large-Scale Projects: Targeting initiatives with capital costs exceeding €7.5 million, these projects typically involve innovative industrial solutions, renewable hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, or advanced energy systems.
    • Small-Scale Projects: Designed for smaller investments with capital costs under €7.5 million, these projects prioritize scalability, innovation, and quick market deployment.

Key features of the Innovation Fund include: 

    • The fund awards up to 60% of project-related costs, disbursed in stages based on achieved milestones, ensuring efficient use of resources.
    • It provides robust support for high-risk, game-changing technologies that have the potential to revolutionize industries and significantly cut emissions.
    • Projects can combine Innovation Fund grants with other EU or national funding programs, ensuring comprehensive financial support.

Applications are submitted through competitive calls for proposals, evaluated based on innovation potential, emissions reduction impact, scalability, and cost efficiency. The fund also offers project development assistance for promising initiatives that require further refinement before implementation. 

By bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and commercial-scale deployment, the Innovation Fund empowers businesses and industries to lead in climate action while maintaining Europe’s global competitiveness. Its strategic investments not only drive technological breakthroughs but also create jobs, foster economic growth, and contribute to a sustainable future.

CEF

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is the EU’s key funding program aimed at building and improving Europe’s infrastructure networks in transport, energy, and digital sectors. With a budget of €33.7 billion for the 2021–2027 period, CEF supports projects that enhance connectivity, foster sustainability, and promote innovation across the EU. The program plays a crucial role in achieving the EU’s broader goals, including the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade targets. 

CEF funding is divided into three main sectors: 

    • Transport: Focuses on creating a seamless and sustainable Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by funding projects such as cross-border rail connections, sustainable urban transport, and alternative fuel infrastructure. Priority is given to projects that decarbonize transport, enhance multimodal logistics, and improve safety and efficiency.
    • Energy: Supports projects aimed at integrating renewable energy, improving cross-border energy networks, and enhancing the security and resilience of the energy grid. It also funds innovative solutions such as smart grids and energy storage systems to accelerate the EU’s transition to clean energy.
    • Digital: Facilitates the deployment of high-capacity digital infrastructure, including 5G networks, fibre-optic connections, and cross-border services. This sector is essential for enabling digital transformation and bridging connectivity gaps across Europe.

CEF offers several funding mechanisms: 

    • Grants: Provided through calls for proposals, these grants co-finance eligible costs for studies, works, and pilot projects.
    • Blended Financing: Combines grants with financial instruments, such as loans or guarantees from the European Investment Bank, to maximize the impact of funding.
    • Synergy Projects: Supports initiatives that integrate benefits across multiple sectors (e.g., a transport project that also supports energy efficiency goals).

The program prioritizes projects with high EU-added value, particularly those addressing cross-border challenges or involving multiple member states. Proposals are evaluated on their relevance, maturity, impact, and cost-efficiency. Special emphasis is placed on aligning projects with the EU’s climate and sustainability targets, ensuring that at least 60% of the budget contributes to climate action. 

The CEF is a cornerstone of Europe’s strategy to strengthen its infrastructure, fostering cohesion, innovation, and sustainable growth across all member states. By enabling the free flow of goods, energy, and information, CEF paves the way for a more connected and competitive Europe. 

National funding

The Netherlands offers a variety of funding programs aimed at fostering innovation and sustainability, with a strong focus on maritime transport, inland waterway transport, and renewable energy. These initiatives align with national goals to achieve climate neutrality, drive economic growth, and maintain leadership in the maritime and energy sectors. 

Key funding opportunities include:

  1. DKTI-Transport (Demonstration, Climate Technologies, and Innovation in Transport): DKTI supports projects that promote innovative and sustainable technologies in transport, including maritime and inland shipping. Funding is available for feasibility studies, pilot projects, and scaling up proven innovations, with a focus on reducing CO₂ emissions and integrating alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and electric propulsion.
  2. MOOI (Mission-Driven Research, Development, and Innovation): The MOOI program funds large-scale collaborations in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification. It includes opportunities for maritime projects that incorporate renewable energy technologies, such as wind or solar integration on ships, or electrified port infrastructure to support emission-free operations.
  3. HER+ (Renewable Energy Transition Incentive): HER+ supports projects that accelerate the energy transition, focusing on optimizing renewable energy integration and advancing energy storage technologies. For the maritime sector, this could include offshore renewable energy platforms or energy-neutral ports, contributing to a sustainable blue economy.
  4. Subsidy for Emission-Free Inland Shipping and Ports: This funding program targets the inland shipping sector, promoting the adoption of zero-emission vessels, retrofitting existing fleets with cleaner technologies, and developing green port infrastructure. It supports the objectives of the Green Deal for inland shipping, short sea shipping, and ports by enabling sustainable logistics solutions.
  5. Maritiem Masterplan (Maritime Master Plan): The Maritime Master Plan is a national initiative aimed at transforming the Dutch maritime sector into a global leader in green shipping. The plan focuses on developing and deploying zero-emission ships, hydrogen technologies, and advanced digital solutions for sustainable operations. It provides funding and strategic support for large-scale innovation projects, including partnerships between maritime companies, knowledge institutions, and government agencies.
  6. DEI+ (Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation): DEI+ supports pilot and demonstration projects that drive energy and climate innovation. In the maritime sector, this includes projects focused on clean propulsion systems, alternative fuels, and energy-efficient vessel operations. The program bridges the gap between technological development and market readiness, accelerating the adoption of green technologies.

These programs typically require detailed project proposals demonstrating innovation, technical feasibility, and alignment with national climate goals. Collaboration among businesses, research institutions, and public authorities is often encouraged to maximize impact. 

By leveraging these funding opportunities, the Netherlands continues to lead the way in sustainable maritime innovation and renewable energy, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient future for the sector.