Calls are regularly published by partners concerning grant applications for projects in which key enabling technologies play an important role. This page highlights a number of calls that focus specifically on the (further) development of key enabling technologies and follows the projects that can be carried out thanks to these grants.
In the coming years, NWO will offer calls for proposals on cross-KIA themes, which presents excellent opportunities for key technologies. From the Key Technologies KIA, we consulted with the Agriculture, Water, and Food KIA at an early stage to define a suitable theme in preparation for a call. The topic will be Chemical Biodiversity, focusing on the (continued) development of relevant technologies within the National Technology Strategy topics of Biomolecular and Cell Technologies and Process Technology. The resulting thematic proposal has been submitted to NWO, and if approved, the call will be opened this fall.
Optics and photonics have been recognized as key enabling technologies and included in the new National Technology Strategy (NTS) published in 2024. Broad-spectrum optical systems impact various market segments and can have applications in the economic and societal domains. The enormous impact of optics in the Netherlands is evident in the various research groups working in this field across the country and in the extensive ecosystem of more than 300 companies and public organizations that rely on optical technology for their (primary) business processes. This call aligns with the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Key Enabling Technologies, specifically the key enabling technology of optics and photonics, and requires collaboration with public and private parties. A total of €7 million is available for this call. The deadline for submitting applications is November 28, 2024.
NWO is launching a new KIC call: System Design in Mechatronics and Optomechatronics. Developed in collaboration with the KIA Key Enabling Technologies (KIA ST) within the KIA ST 2024–2027 program, the call encourages interdisciplinary public-private partnerships focused on innovative system design in (opto)mechatronics. The goal is to develop new design concepts that address future demands for performance, reliability, precision, and scalability of high-tech systems. The call deadline is April 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The matchmaking meeting will take place on December 11, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A total of €7 million in funding is available.
2024
The call "Future-proof high-tech equipment - NXTGEN Hightech open call 2024" is the first call to emerge from NXTGEN Hightech. The research will contribute to a new generation of high-tech equipment in the Netherlands. The Netherlands' current strength in this field is due to the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit of various players, including companies, knowledge institutions, government agencies, and financiers. Significant investments are needed to maintain this position and strengthen future earning capacity.
The NWO Key Enabling Technologies for Minimally Invasive Interventions in Healthcare call focuses on developing smart medical technology that enables interventions using minimally invasive methods and resources, minimizing collateral damage to patients. The use of key enabling technologies can help improve minimally invasive treatments and minimize collateral damage. This call originated from the MedTechNL BGP.
This call aims to contribute to the further development of generic knowledge in the field of digital security in logistics chains (supply chains) and the digital security of the products and services these chains produce. This call was created in cooperation with the Top Sector Logistics, Energy, Horticulture & Propagation Materials, Life Sciences & Health, ICT and HTSM, within the System and Chain Security theme of the CS4NL programme, a BGP of the KIA ST.
The Emerging Key Enabling Technologies call offers opportunities for pioneering PPP research on emerging key enabling technologies, focusing on the exploration and development of innovative ideas. An emerging key enabling technology has the potential to develop into a highly impactful technology that can contribute to long-term industrial and/or societal impact. These technologies demonstrate promise in an academic setting and offer significant potential for application. This call was developed in collaboration with KIA ST.
The NWO Key Enabling Technologies call aims to fund fundamental and application-oriented scientific research into technological breakthroughs to create economic opportunities for the Netherlands and contribute to solving societal challenges.
The NWO’s call Next Generation High Tech Equipment aims to work on multidisciplinary integration of cyber-physical systems. Consortia of knowledge institutions, public and private partners have submitted project proposals for fundamental and application-oriented research into innovative and breakthrough technologies to optimise system integration of cyber-physical systems. This call originated from the BGP High Tech equipment of the KIA ST.
