DEI+: Circular Economy and Large-Scale Biobased Projects Grant
In context
This call is open to startups, small and medium-sized businesses and large companies, at prototype and pilot stage and scale-up and mature. Funding is a grant. Coverage is read from the notice itself: Netherlands.
RVO's DEI+ subsidy helps Dutch entrepreneurs test circular-economy or low-CO2 innovations in pilot or demonstration projects at scale. Applications are open from 16 June 2026 to 17 December 2026.
About this grant
DEI+: Circulaire economie en grootschalige biobased projecten is a Dutch government subsidy under the Demonstratie Energie- en Klimaatinnovatie (DEI+) scheme, run by RVO on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. It funds pilot or demonstration projects by companies that test or demonstrate innovative techniques aimed at the circular economy and at reducing CO2 emissions, either in the Netherlands or worldwide through more efficient raw material extraction and production. The subsidy supports projects that use resources more efficiently (using fewer raw materials for the same production capacity, or replacing primary raw materials with secondary ones), and that process their own or others' waste more circularly. Eligible activities include waste prevention, sorting, preparation for reuse, decontamination, recycling, collection and pre-treatment of materials not yet classed as waste, and circular product design. Projects must reduce CO2 emissions within 10 years of starting, be technically and economically feasible, run for at most 4 years, and have at least one company incurring costs. Applicants must show a credible plan for financing their own share of project costs. Work may not start before submission. Funding is up to EUR 25 million for pilot projects and up to EUR 30 million for demonstration projects. The page notes the scheme is oversubscribed and applications are handled in order of receipt. Projects under Biobased Circular (pilots under EUR 1 million, demonstrations under EUR 10 million) fall under a separate DEI+ theme. A non-binding project idea form is offered for early advice.
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Eligibility
Companies in the Netherlands, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba carrying out a pilot or demonstration of an innovative technique in the circular economy field, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. Provinces and municipalities may participate but do not receive subsidy themselves; water boards may receive subsidy under certain conditions. Applicants must not be in financial difficulty within the meaning of the General Block Exemption Regulation, must have secure financing for their own share of costs, and must use eHerkenning to apply. Pilot projects are assessed against international state of the technology, and demonstration projects against Dutch state of the technology. Projects involving increased electricity use should check for grid congestion in their region.
How it's scored
Applications are assessed on technical and economic feasibility, the quality of explanation of how the technology works, the likelihood of success in the Dutch market supported by market knowledge and sources, innovativeness relative to the current state of technology, a clear description of the innovation, challenges, risks and uncertainties, the revenue model, and involvement of third parties. Applications are handled in order of receipt while funds remain. Assessment is carried out by RVO expert reviewers bound by confidentiality. No panel composition is stated.
Key requirements
- ✓Applicant must be an entrepreneur or company in the Netherlands
- ✓Project must test an innovation in a pilot or demonstration setting
- ✓Innovation must support circular economy transition and/or CO2 reduction; applications accepted 16 June 2026 to 17 December 2026
Recent past awardees
Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.
- Spinning Jenny · $3.5M
- Efteling
Frequently asked questions
- How much funding does Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) offer?
- DEI+: Circular Economy and Large-Scale Biobased Projects offers $33M.
- When is the DEI+: Circular Economy and Large-Scale Biobased Projects deadline?
- Applications close 17 Dec 2026 16:00.
- Who can apply for DEI+: Circular Economy and Large-Scale Biobased Projects?
- Eligibility covers organisations in NL; startup, sme, large-company. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.
Relevant sectors
How this compares
- Compared with 6 similar grants (circular in Netherlands) listed in the last 12 months.
- Its value of $33m is above 100% of the 5 similar grants that state a value; their median is $500k.
- The same organisation listed 5 other similar grants here in the last 12 months.
Closest open grants
Figures are computed from notices listed on Raise Lens in the same sector and country over the last 12 months.
About this sector
Circular economy funding supports reuse, repair, remanufacturing, product redesign and secondary materials markets. Grants tend to back pilots with businesses and local authorities, while tenders buy collection, sorting and recovery services. Applicants are usually asked to show the material flows involved and who will buy the recovered output.
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