SME Idea 2021 for training and development

It is important to know that this subsidy does not represent a training budget, but a financial contribution to solve bottlenecks among SMEs. The scheme was originally aimed at stimulating technical SMEs, but it now appears that many SMEs are faced with the same obstacles. That is why the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has decided to broaden the scheme.

The SME Idea grant is available for:

• investments by SME entrepreneurs leading to more staff in technical sectors;
• investments by SME entrepreneurs in human capital with a view to digitization;
• investments by SME entrepreneurs in human capital with a view to the climate and energy transition.

Extra attention for small businesses

Of the total budget of €10 million, €2.7 million has been reserved for small companies (up to 50 employees), which have difficulty creating a good learning culture due to too little time, budget or capacity. Partnerships can claim this if at least one of the participants is a company with less than 50 employees.

Requirements

• You are an SME entrepreneur and you work with another entrepreneur, knowledge institution, (brache) organization;
• At least 65% of the number of participants in the partnership are SMEs.

How much is the subsidy?

The subsidy amounts to 100% of the eligible costs, with a maximum of €124,999. The total subsidy for all participants in a partnership is a maximum of €200,000. 

Apply for a subsidy

It was possible to apply for a subsidy from October 20, 2020 to January 19, 2021. This tender scheme is assessed on the basis of a ranking. The highest ranked applications are eligible for a subsidy until the subsidy ceiling has been reached. As soon as there is a new opening, we will publish it on this page.