External grants

In addition to our in-house funding opportunities, we encourage researchers to explore a wide range of external grant options. We have curated an overview of potentially relevant funding schemes, each suited to different stages of the research journey (Technology Readiness Level [TRL]).

Amsterdam UMC offers dedicated support for many of these grants. For guidance, application assistance, and additional resources, please contact Amsterdam UMC Research Grant Support (rgs@amsterdamumc.nl) or IXA (ixa-st@amsterdamumc.nl).

Also have a look at:

the Yellow Pages of Amsterdam UMC Research Grant Support (only for employees), a weekly newsletter containing announcements about grant opportunities, scientific meetings and other activities related to research.
the Valorisation Compass. The Amsterdam Valorisation Board compiled an overview of a wide range of investment instruments available for spin-off companies, from Proof-of-Concept and pre-seed funds to start-up financing through organizations such as the Innovation Fund North Holland, the Regional Development Agency (ROM InWest), InvestNL, and the Biotech Booster. For a complete overview see Figure 10 and Attachment 1.
RegMed XB offers advisory services and targeted funding for activities that often fall outside the scope of traditional funding schemes. To learn more, visit this page and explore the Innovation Voucher described below.

Have suggestions for additional grants we should include?
Please email us at sbox.adore@amsterdamumc.nl.

Curated list of external grants

IXA Proof-of-principle

IXA’s Proof of Principle (PoP) funding helps accelerate early-stage innovations by validating core concepts and generating essential data. This support ensures you have the evidence needed to secure follow-on investment, strengthen IP, and build commercial partnerships.
The IXA PoP program provides €50,000 in funding for researchers developing technologies at TRL 1–3.

IXA Proof-of-concept

IXA’s Proof of Concept (PoC) funding offers a valuable opportunity to de-risk your invention by supporting essential Proof of Concept and technical feasibility studies. These activities help strengthen your innovation and significantly improve its potential for licensing to an established company or an Amsterdam UMC spin-off.

Through the IXA PoC program, researchers and entrepreneurs can apply for up to €100,000 in conditional or convertible loan funding for projects at TRL 3–6. This support is designed to bridge the gap between early-stage research and market-ready solutions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadlines.

RegmedXB Innovation voucher

The RegMed XB Innovation Voucher supports researchers in taking concrete steps toward creating a start-up. Beyond financial support, RegMed XB offers tailored guidance and access to a strong network of experts to help translate innovations into market-ready solutions.

Projects are expected to be close to start-up (TRL 5–9); however, earlier-stage projects may be considered if they demonstrate strong innovation and commercial potential.
Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Researcher can apply for a maximum of €25,000 (incl VAT).
More information can be found on the following internal page, or visit the link below.

KNAW Early Career Partnerships

The KNAW Early Career Partnerships are intended to encourage early-career researchers to enter into or develop interdisciplinary partnerships that will lead to new insights in research across all domains. Up to ten Partnerships are awarded annually. Researchers can apply for €10,000 to organise an interdisciplinary science meeting.

Open untill 2 February 2026.

ZonMW Off Road

In the Off Road grant programme, the focus is explicitly on curiosity-driven, fundamental research at the very beginning of the knowledge chain, and on rapidly exploring a promising idea through to a proof of concept within the biomedical and health domains. Off Road targets groundbreaking biomedical and/or health research with a high-risk profile, projects that deliberately step outside conventional research pathways.

Applicants may request up to €100,000 per proposal, for a project duration of 12 to 18 months. The Off Road 2026 call is currently under preparation and is expected to open on 27 January 2026. On Wednesday 11 February 2026 from 09:30 to 10:30, ZonMw will host an online information session for the Off Road 2026 grant call.

NWO Take-Off Phase 1

For a feasibility study, researchers within Take-off can request financing of €30,000 to a maximum of €60,000. This subsidy can be used to perform a feasibility study of the commercial application of innovative ideas and the start of activity on the basis of knowledge innovations from knowledge institutions. A feasibility study leads to a report which includes the possibilities of a start-up.

Proposals can be submitted untill 10 december 2026.
Call for Proposals – Take-off fase 1 – Haalbaarheidsstudies WO