Funding knowledge
from A to Z.

A message confirming that the funding body has received an application or document. It does not mean the application has been approved on its merits.

The added value of the subsidy compared with the situation without it.

An amount paid out before or during the delivery of a project.

The payment of advances over the course of the project period.

A specialist who advises on funding, financing, project design or strategic decisions. An adviser may be internal or external.

The maximum percentage of state aid in relation to the eligible costs.

A public measure capable of conferring a financial advantage on companies.

The organisation or person applying for funding.

The period during which applications for a scheme can be submitted.

The decision by which the funding body commits to providing the funding under the conditions set out in it.

The substantive aspects against which an application is judged — for example quality, impact, innovation, feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

The rules setting out how an auditor or inspector examines the project accounts.

A declaration by an auditor on the accuracy or completeness of financial information.

A company that is not connected to other companies, or only to a limited degree.

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle — the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control. A federal authority that runs numerous funding programmes for companies and private individuals, among others in energy efficiency, foreign trade and innovation.

Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude — the federal funding scheme for efficient buildings. It covers energy-efficient new builds and refurbishments as well as the installation of low-carbon heating technology.

A formal written decision by a Dutch public authority — on approval, an advance payment, a change, the final determination or a rejection. It is the act that creates rights and obligations under Dutch administrative law.

An overview of the expected project costs, usually broken down by cost category.

The justification of a project's economic value, costs, returns and risks.

An announcement setting out which projects or proposals are sought, who may apply, which conditions apply and by when the application must be submitted.

European funding under which a main project passes subsidies on to third parties, usually through smaller calls.

A request to alter an approved project, its budget, planning or activities.

Additional financing required alongside the subsidy.

A group of organisations carrying out a project together, usually each with its own role, budget and responsibility.

An agreement in which collaborating partners settle roles, intellectual property, costs and results.

An external specialist who guides an organisation through identifying funding, applying, delivering the project or reporting on it.

Proceedings before a court against a decision on an objection, or against certain decisions directly.

Combining several subsidies or forms of public support for the same costs or activities.

Adding together different forms of support for the same costs or activities.

A rule under which limited public support may be granted to a company without prior approval by the European Commission, provided certain conditions are met.

The final date and time by which an application or document must be submitted.

Demonstratie Energie- en Klimaatinnovatie. A Dutch subsidy for demonstration and pilot projects contributing to a more sustainable energy supply or economy.

A concrete product or document that has to be delivered within a project.

A project in which a solution is tested and made visible under realistic conditions.

The most comprehensive database of public funding and financing options in Germany. It covers a wide range of fields — among them innovation, research, education, energy, environment, culture, tourism and international cooperation.

Costs that can be attributed directly to the funded project, such as project hours or specific materials.

Innovation that fundamentally changes existing products, services or markets.

Spreading and passing on project results to relevant audiences.

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt — the German Aerospace Center. A project management agency that administers and supervises funding programmes in research, technology and innovation on behalf of federal ministries.

Selection by lot, used where several applications score equally or where a scheme prescribes it.

Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs. The Dutch agency responsible for education funding, student finance and certain education schemes.

Dienst Uitvoering Subsidies aan Instellingen. The Dutch agency that administers subsidy schemes for education, culture, welfare and public health, among others.

The obligation to inform the funding body of certain changes or events.

Energie-investeringsaftrek — energy investment allowance. A Dutch tax benefit for entrepreneurs investing in energy-efficient technology or renewable energy.

All requirements an application or project must meet to qualify for funding.

The period within which costs must be incurred in order to be eligible.

Costs that qualify for funding under the rules of the scheme.

European Regional Development Fund. A European fund that strengthens regional economies, innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

An assessment of the ethical aspects and risks within a research or innovation project.

The European Union. An association of European countries that provides, among other things, European funding and financing programmes.

An international network and cooperation programme for market-oriented innovation projects run by companies and research institutions.

A plan for using, applying or commercialising project results.

A written statement of interest in a programme, a call or a possible collaboration, often submitted ahead of a full application.

The extent to which a project is technically, financially, organisationally and legally deliverable.

Germany's central level of government. Through its ministries and subordinate authorities, the federal government provides funding programmes at national level.

The 16 states (Länder) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Each sets its own funding policy and provides programmes at state level.

The final decision on the amount of funding, issued after the project has been delivered and the reporting assessed. The amount may match the approved sum or fall below it.

An overview of all income and sources of finance used to pay for a project.

An allocation principle under which applications are processed in the order they arrive until the available budget is exhausted.

Germany's tax-based incentive for research and development in companies. It is granted regardless of company size or sector and reduces the tax payable.

A fully worked-out funding proposal including project description, budget, planning, partners and evidence that the criteria are met.

The organisation that provides the subsidy and owns the scheme.

The maximum budget available for a scheme or a call.

An overview or digital system holding information on funding programmes. This typically includes target groups, funding objectives, available budgets, eligibility conditions, application windows and deadlines.

The maximum ratio between the subsidy and the eligible costs, usually expressed as a percentage.

The percentage of the eligible costs reimbursed by the subsidy.

The legal framework setting out what funding can be applied for, who is eligible, which conditions apply and how the funding is calculated.

European rules under which certain forms of state aid may be granted without prior approval.

The executive board of a Dutch province. It implements provincial policy and may award subsidies under defined conditions.

An analysis of the extent to which sex and gender differences are relevant to research or innovation.

Circumstances that bar an applicant or project from taking part — for instance insolvency, serious breaches of the law, conflicts of interest or failure to meet specific requirements.

An undertaking by a public authority or financier to assume part of the financial risk or debt under defined conditions.

Horizon Europe, the European programme for research and innovation. It finances international research and innovation projects.

The broader and often long-term consequences of a project for the economy, society or the environment.

The organisation that runs a scheme in practice — assessing applications, paying advances and checking the final reporting.

An application is not assessed on its merits because formal requirements are not met — for instance because information is missing or it was submitted late.

The requirement that funding must be necessary for a project to happen at all, or to happen sooner.

Costs that cannot be attributed to a single activity, such as general premises or IT costs.

Costs that do not qualify for funding under the rules of the scheme.

A Dutch tax scheme under which certain profits from self-developed innovative activities can be taxed at a lower effective rate, provided the conditions are met.

Financial support for companies, research institutions or consortia developing new, innovative products, processes or services.

A European programme for cooperation between regions and countries, usually aimed at cross-border, transnational or interregional projects.

Financial support for companies investing in plant, equipment or infrastructure in order to promote growth, competitiveness or regional development.

A federal funding initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises pursuing ambitious research and development projects in cutting-edge technology fields.

A measurable figure used to track the progress or outcome of a project.

The partner that submits the application on behalf of a consortium and usually holds the central coordinating role.

A declaration in which an organisation or partner states that it seriously intends to take part in a project or collaboration.

A company legally or economically connected to another, for instance through control.

A real-world setting in which an innovation is developed and tested together with its users.

Financing that has to be repaid, usually with interest and on agreed terms.

A form of funding under which a fixed amount is paid once agreed activities or results have been delivered.

The extent to which a financial transaction matches what a private market operator would do.

Milieu-investeringsaftrek — environmental investment allowance. A Dutch tax benefit for entrepreneurs investing in assets listed on the Milieulijst.

A key interim point or checkpoint in the delivery of a project.

Nationaal Kennisinstituut Onderwijs — a knowledge institute focused on education. Its precise role and funding function can differ by context.

An amount that does not have to be repaid as long as the recipient meets the conditions. For subsidies this is the part of the support that cannot be reclaimed.

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek — the Dutch Research Council. A funding organisation for scientific research.

A formal response by which an affected party challenges a decision of a public authority.

A formal written notice from a public authority — for instance on approval, an advance payment, a change, the final determination or a rejection.

A multi-annual programme in which an authority sets out which objectives, priorities, activities and budgets are to be financed with European funds.

The effect that arises once the project results are put to use.

A direct, measurable product of activities — for example a prototype or a training course.

The share of the project costs that the applicant finances itself.

A company in which another holds a certain stake without having full control.

A window in which an applicant may supply missing information or correct errors.

A trial project testing an approach, product or technology on a limited scale.

A short first version of a proposal, used to assess whether an idea is suitable and promising enough for a full application.

Recording and managing a project's progress, costs, hours and income.

The concrete goal the project sets out to achieve.

The period within which the funded project may be carried out.

The direct product, service, technology or change the project delivers.

The organisation that runs a scheme in practice — assessing applications, paying advances and checking the final reporting. In Germany this role is usually held by a dedicated agency acting on behalf of a ministry.

The elected representative body of a Dutch province. It sets provincial policy and holds the executive board to account.

Projektträger Jülich. A project management agency supervising funding programmes on behalf of federal and state ministries in fields such as energy, climate protection, education and health.

Projektträger Karlsruhe. A project management agency running funding programmes on behalf of federal ministries, among others in energy, climate and resources.

The order in which applications are placed on the basis of their assessment score.

A category frequently used in European state aid and innovation legislation.

The full or partial reclaiming of a subsidy amount that has already been paid out.

The decision that no funding will be granted, for example because the application does not meet the criteria or the budget has been exhausted.

The information and evidence with which a recipient demonstrates that the project was carried out, the costs were incurred and the conditions were met.

The duty to keep project and financial documents for a defined period.

An assessment of events that could jeopardise the achievement of project objectives.

Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland — the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. It delivers many subsidies, schemes and programmes on behalf of the Dutch government, primarily for businesses, knowledge institutions and public bodies.

A web-based grant management system that lets organisations administer funding applications and projects in one place. It supports the whole process — from identifying suitable funding options through the application to delivery, documentation and financial reporting.

The extent to which a solution can be expanded without costs rising proportionally.

Stimuleringsregeling Duurzame Energieproductie en Klimaattransitie. Dutch operating support for technologies that produce renewable energy or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Regieorgaan SIA. A funding organisation that stimulates and supports practice-oriented research at Dutch universities of applied sciences.

A Dutch subsidy scheme for learning and development in SMEs, supporting training and development activities within companies.

The European criteria for determining whether a company counts as a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise. They take into account headcount and financial figures as well as any linked or partner enterprises.

A financial advantage granted to a company by a public authority that may distort competition or trade within the EU. State aid is only permitted where it falls under an exemption or has been approved in advance.

A financial contribution from a public authority or fund towards activities that serve a defined public objective. A subsidy always comes with conditions attached.

A dedicated web-based system for managing outgoing subsidies.

A financial advantage granted through the tax system, for example as a tax deduction, a reduced rate or accelerated depreciation.

A competitive procedure in which organisations submit a proposal and the contracting body selects one or more of them against conditions set out in advance.

The basic requirements that must be met before an application is assessed on its merits. If a threshold criterion is not met, the application is normally rejected outright.

A record of the hours staff spend on the funded project.

A scale indicating how far a technology has been developed — from a basic concept through to a commercially deployable technology.

A company that, under European rules, is not financially sound enough to receive certain support.

Uitvoering van Beleid. A service of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment that administers labour market and training schemes, among others.

Turning knowledge, technology or project results into practical or economic value.

Willekeurige afschrijving milieu-investeringen. A Dutch scheme allowing entrepreneurs to depreciate part of an environmental investment flexibly.

A project management agency that runs funding programmes in innovation, technology and digitalisation on behalf of federal ministries and supports applicants through delivery.

Versnelde klimaatinvesteringen in de industrie — accelerated climate investment in industry. A Dutch subsidy for proven measures that reduce industrial CO₂ emissions.

The largest and most comprehensive online subsidy database in the Netherlands, covering financing options across every conceivable field — from innovation to training, from energy and the environment to culture and tourism, and from research to international cooperation.

Wet Bevordering Speur- en Ontwikkelingswerk. A Dutch tax benefit for employers and self-employed people carrying out research and development work.

Wissens- und Technologietransfer durch Patente und Normen — knowledge and technology transfer through patents and standards. A programme supporting SMEs in commercialising research results and making use of patents and standards.

A defined part of a project with its own activities, planning, budget and results.

Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand — the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs. A nationwide funding programme for research and development projects by small and medium-sized enterprises, open to all technologies and sectors.

The Dutch organisation for health research and care innovation. It funds research and innovation in health and healthcare.

Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft gGmbH. A federal project management agency delivering funding programmes above all in climate protection, the environment and municipal projects.