Frequently Asked Questions

Areas of expertise

• Why does E+M choose certain sectors?
  • At Evers + Manders grant consultants, we believe in specialisation. That is the only way for us to offer you the most added value and optimal support in subsidy-related affairs. We speak your language, we know the sector and the relevant programmes and can therefore offer you a complete advice that ties in with your strategy.
• In which areas of expertise does E+M operate?
  • Evers + Manders grant consultants has specialised in three areas of expertise:
    Water and delta technology: drinking water production, wastewater treatment, water and environmental management, delta technology, maritime technology, water international;
    Healthcare and medical innovation: medical research and technology, health and prevention;
    Energy and bio-based economy: energy systems and sustainable energy, sustainability and circular economy.
• Can I call on E+M even if I am not active in one of the E+M sectors?
  • Yes. Even if your project does not fall under one of the sectors we specialise in, you can definitely call on Evers + Manders grant consultants. At E+M, we work with highly educated subsidy advisers who can quickly get to the bottom of new and complex material. You are guaranteed to get a conversational partner who quickly understands what you are talking about and who can help you with your request

Grant programmes

• In which grant programmes is E+M active?
  • Evers + Manders grant consultants is active in R&D and innovation grants. The focus is on European programmes, national programmes, regional programmes and international water programmes. In addition to basic programmes such as the Dutch WBSO, we mainly focus on the more complex programmes based around cooperation and innovation.
• Are all grant programmes complicated in nature?
  • There are some easy-to-understand and highly accessible general programmes such as the Dutch WBSO, a wage tax reduction. Another example is the energy and environment deduction for which lists are available that detail the corporate assets that fall under the programme’s scope. These programmes are generally not that complicated, yet our experience shows that it is still helpful to use E+M’s services.

    Programmes can also be complex and specialised in nature. These are often ideal for your business or organisation and an application has either a large change of success – or none at all. It is important that you look into these programmes carefully before investing too much time and money. Your application has a larger chance of success if you draw it up together with a sparring partner like E+M.

• When and where can you apply for a particular grant?
  • The RVO, the National Authority for Dutch Entrepreneurs, is an important organisation for grant programmes in the Netherlands. In the case of European or provincial programmes, information and applications often come from a different source. A select few grant programmes can be applied for at all times. For most, there are certain set application dates each year. Grants may be contracted based on an evaluation (the best applications are granted a subsidy). Some grants are contracted on a “first come, first serve” basis until the funds of the grant run out. Other programmes take different shapes. E+M knows where you have to go and when to go there.
• Are applications always honoured?
  • For starters, projects for which a grant is requested have to be viable. Grant programmes are not intended to keep businesses afloat; they are there to resolve social issues and stimulate innovation and/or economic growth. Grants are the result of policy objectives detailed in roadmaps and other such guidelines. All applications are tested against these. A good grant application must therefore seamlessly tie into the programme’s underlying objectives. An application may be turned down for administrative reasons if not all requirements have been met. That is why E+M has built control mechanisms into its work processes.
• During which phase of an idea or product development can a grant be applied for?
  • There are programmes for all possible phases from the initial idea, fundamental research, applied research, prototype or pilot projects and market preparation. Marketing is always your own responsibility. There are programmes that require universities, colleges or national or foreign research institutes to be involved in the project. It may also be required that you form a consortium with end users. To maximise the potential of your application, it is therefore vitally important to apply for the right subsidy programme and, if necessary, that you do this together with the right partners.
• Are there any programmes specifically for innovative SMEs?
  • On both the Netherlands and European level, there are many grants that focus on innovative projects set up by SMEs with the goal of introducing new products on the market. Furthermore, there are credits that focus on this final and crucial phase from idea to market introduction. The major challenge is to find the programme that best suits your specific situation. At Evers + Manders grant consultants, we have extensive experience with programmes for SMEs. We are happy to sit down with you to explore the available options.
• I am an entrepreneur and I want to cooperate with Dutch entrepreneurs. Is there a particular grant programme that is specially suited for that?
  • Many grant programmes stimulate cooperation on the condition that it has a clear goal. At E+M, we prefer to look at things from a different perspective. We ask the question of which approach and grant programme best suit your needs and the stage your innovative idea is currently in.
• I am an entrepreneur and I want to cooperate with Dutch universities. Is there a particular grant programme that is specially suited for that?
  • There are several options. The first thing that comes to mind are TKIs. To stimulate innovation, Top Consortiums for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) have been set up for the nine Dutch top sectors. These TKIs stimulate public-private cooperative projects. In the TKIs, entrepreneurs and scientists look for ways to introduce innovative products and services on the market. Research in the TKIs can be purely scientific in nature, for example in a laboratory. However, the research can also be practical, e.g. the development of a prototype of a new invention. The products and services being developed contribute to solutions for social problems and help increase labour productivity and economic well-being. 
• I want to cooperate with others on a European level. Is there a particular grant programme that is specially suited for that?
  • The European Union has made large sums available for grant programmes and other financing options. These are also intended to achieve the objectives outlined in the EU’s various policies. The grants made available by the European Union are usually intended as co-financing. That means that the EU pays for a part of the costs. Some interesting examples of the many European programmes are LIFE, Horizon2020, the SME instrument – which specifically targets SMEs – and Eurostars. There is no simple answer to this question, so why not sit down and talk things over?
• What are the options if I want to cooperate with an organisation in a different European country?
  • This question immediately brings the Interreg programme to mind. Interreg’s goal is to reduce the economic differences that exist between different EU regions and member states. It stimulates cooperative projects in the fields of innovation, environment, climate, sustainable energy, CO₂ reduction and efficient use of natural resources and materials. Interreg is made up of several programmes, divided by European regions. The Netherlands participates in a number of European, transnational and cross-border programmes. The budget for the various programmes comes from the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRO). We would be happy to sit down with you to discuss the options.
• My innovation needs a final push. Is there a particular grant programme that is specially suited for that?
  • The European Fast Track to Innovation Pilot (FTIP) programme is very similar to the SME instrument. The major differences are that FTIP does not specifically focus on SMEs and that the programme does not use a three-phase approach with feasibility studies, innovation projects and business coaching. Furthermore, FTIP does not use a thematic approach with innovation themes that have been predefined by the European Commission. The chances of success with the FTIP programme are slim, because it is an enormously popular programme. To maximise your chances, the application must be structured properly and serve the right goals. We can help you draw up the perfect application.

Services

• I have a fantastic idea, but I do not know where to start. Can you help me?
  • For us, your interests come first. Instead of the grant programme itself, your organisation and your objectives are the basis for what we do. From there, we examine how these can be tied to the objectives of a grant programme. That is why our service goes a few steps further, as well as a few steps back. We also examine any other available options, such as cooperation with parties that are complementary to your research or development project.
• I receive a grant, but I am running up against an administrative wall. Can you help me?
  • No government will simply contract a grant without requiring some form of accountability. Once your project has been approved and the grant has been formally contracted, you are not done yet. You will have to justify the grant in accordance with the rules. That is a skill in its own right. Together, we can make sure that all of the grant provider’s rules and conditions are implemented into your organisation’s administrative system. Our interim checks allow you to make timely adjustments. This allows you to make the most of the available subsidy.