Funding corner
Funding the Future of Quantum: Enabling Innovation and Impact
From Ecosystem Building to Ecosystem Impact
Throughout the programme, the needs of the Dutch quantum ecosystem have evolved. While the initial focus was on laying the foundation, building communities, infrastructure, and capabilities, the current priority has shifted. It’s now about enabling economic and societal impact through quantum technologies.
This shift calls for a stronger emphasis on:
Future-ready technologies
Applicability and scalability
Tech transfer and IP creation
Stimulating private investment
A Lab-to-Fab Funding Approach
Quantum Delta NL is evolving its funding strategy to support this next phase. Our goal is to align funding instruments with program KPIs, enabling flexible and competitive schemes that support:
Rapid innovation
Technology transfer
Application-oriented research
International leadership
This Lab-to-Fab approach is designed to help scale quantum technologies from research labs to real-world manufacturing and commercial use.
Towards Strategic and Challenge-Driven Funding
Our updated funding model will be:
More flexible, bold, and lightweight
Transparent and inclusive of end users, manufacturing ecosystems, and higher TRLs
Aligned with CATs and ALs to help achieve their KPIs
Structured to leverage QDNL’s funding by attracting national and international co-financing
Designed to promote global collaboration and position the Netherlands as a trusted partner
NL-UK BILATERAL TECHBRIDGE CALL
A new UK-NL bilateral call on quantum technologies has been launched! The Ministry of Economic Affairs encourages Dutch entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, and research organisations to establish R&D collaborations with innovative partners from the United Kingdom. These collaborations will focus on the development, prototyping, and testing of quantum technology.
Quantum Forward Challenge – Life Sciences & Health
Are you working in quantum technology or Life Sciences & Health? Would you like to help shape breakthrough quantum innovations that make a real difference in Life Sciences & Health? Be part of the first Quantum Forward Challenge!
QuantERA
Quantum Delta NL actively engages with strategic initiatives to amplify impact and reach. One example is QuantERA, a pan-European network that supports collaborative research in quantum technologies.
SME PROGRAMME
The Quantum Delta NL SME programme is designed to connect 125 high-tech, multidisciplinary Dutch SMEs with the arenas of quantum technology where they’re needed most.
TRILATERAL PROGRAMME
Building on the trilateral statement on collaboration in quantum technology signed in November 2022, this joint programme of activities is the next logical step towards acceleration and greater synergies. It aims to address these four strategic challenges and builds on the coordination work already under way between the three signatories.
NWO Quantum Delta NL Quantum Technology 2025
This call aims to stimulate, solidify and strengthen fundamental research of high scientific quality that forms the basis for new innovations in quantum technology that are connected to the Catalyst (“CAT”-) programmes as described in the Quantum Delta NL Growth Fund proposal.
Please note that this call is in preparation. Check the website linked below for updates.
SME Hightech call 2025
The second edition of the SME High-Tech Call will open in January 2026. In this call, Holland High Tech challenges entrepreneurs to work with research organizations for two years on innovative projects that align with their innovation domains (including quantum technologies).
SME Defense call 2025
The first SME Defense call will open in January 2026. In this call, Holland High Tech challenges high-tech entrepreneurs to work with research organizations for two years on innovative dual-use projects in the NLD areas of space, quantum, and smart materials from the Defense Strategy for Industry and Innovation 2025-2029.
