NWO Expands Venture Challenge Programme to Boost Research-Based Start-Ups in 2026

NWO Expands Venture Challenge Programme to Boost Research-Based Start-Ups in 2026

(IN BRIEF) NWO will launch a single Call for Proposals for the 2026 Venture Challenge programme, covering both spring and fall rounds and supported by a €200,000 budget from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The programme helps Life Sciences & Health researchers turn scientific innovations into market-ready start-ups through intensive coaching and business development support. With updated eligibility rules and a unified application process, the 2026 Venture Challenge aims to further strengthen the commercialization of Dutch research and innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 6-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is preparing to launch the 2026 edition of its Venture Challenge programme, with the fall round expected to open in January 2026. For the upcoming year, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has allocated a total budget of €200,000. A single Call for Proposals will be published by NWO, covering both the spring and fall rounds of the programme in 2026.

The Venture Challenge is part of the Dutch Cabinet’s mission-driven innovation policy, which aims to harness the innovation capacity of the Netherlands’ top sectors to address major societal challenges while strengthening national competitiveness. Although scientific research generates many promising innovations, a significant share fails to reach the market. This gap is often caused by a lack of commercial knowledge, entrepreneurial experience, and market insight among researchers.

The programme is designed to bridge this gap by supporting researchers in transforming scientific ideas into viable business propositions. Over an intensive period of eight to ten weeks, participating teams work closely with experienced business coaches and domain experts to develop a robust business case. By the end of the programme, participants are better prepared to launch and grow a successful start-up.

The Venture Challenge is aimed at teams of three or four members who have founded, or are in the process of founding, a start-up in the field of Life Sciences & Health. Eligible innovations include products, processes, or services related to medical devices, medicines, or other solutions within this broad domain. Each round of the programme accommodates six teams. The spring round will run between May and June 2026, while the fall round will take place from November 2026 through February 2027.

Several changes have been introduced for the 2026 edition. For the first time, a single Call for Proposals will apply to both rounds, replacing the separate calls previously issued for spring and fall. In addition, there will no longer be a dedicated round for medical devices, as these now fall under the general Life Sciences & Health theme.

The total grant budget of €200,000 is divided equally between the two rounds, with €100,000 available for the spring round and €100,000 for the fall round. The grant covers the costs of participation in the programme, minus a required own contribution. Teams of three participants are required to contribute €2,000, while teams of four contribute €2,500.

Application deadlines have been set for both rounds. Proposals for the spring round must be submitted by 3 February 2026 at 14:00 CET, while applications for the fall round close on 2 July 2026 at 14:00 CET.

For this call, NWO is working in collaboration with the top sector Life Sciences & Health, represented by Health~Holland, reinforcing the programme’s alignment with national innovation priorities in healthcare and life sciences.

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Bendsneijder
Spokesperson
+31 6 47141061
j.bendsneijder@nwo.nl

Freek Hofland
Spokesperson
+31 6 58920086
f.hofland@nwo.nl

SOURCE: NWO