Experimental Sites for the Agricultural Sector Grant

About this grant

The Experimental Sites for the Agricultural Sector subsidy (Experimenteerlocaties voor de agrarische sector) funds collaborative practical field sites where new technical, social or other innovations for farming and horticulture are tested. The aim is to develop future-proof forms of agriculture and horticulture. Applicants set up a cooperative of at least two partners, one of which must be a research organisation, and run practical trials on test locations within designated postcode areas in the Netherlands. The trials are meant to show whether measures help reach one or more policy goals: a fair income and sustainable farm development; lower nitrogen emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and crop protection product use; better animal welfare and animal health; more biodiversity and nature inclusiveness; and stronger sustainable soil and water management. Participants share the results of their trials with stakeholders. Eligible activities include setting up and maintaining the cooperative (100% funded), preparing, carrying out and measuring trials to test whether predefined goals are met (up to 80%), investments for the experimental site and trials (65% for productive investments by agricultural businesses, 100% for non-productive investments and for research organisations; other participants cannot receive investment subsidy), and knowledge sharing about trial results (100%). Young farmers, or investments that contribute to animal welfare or environmental and climate goals, can receive up to 15% extra for productive investments. The subsidy is a co-funded scheme. Applicants must show how the remaining cost share is covered, through private money or in-kind contributions, subsidy from a decentralised authority other than for investments, or own funds. Investments cannot be co-funded by a province, municipality or water board. Applicants must obtain the necessary permits, may not start the project or incur obligations before applying, and must demonstrate they can finance the project. The page states that the budget was raised by EUR 5 million to EUR 25 million in total and that the call is now closed. Applications were assessed by an independent advisory committee and ranked. The page says the decision is expected around 2 November 2026. Reporting requirements include an annual progress report due by 1 November and a final report with, for grants above EUR 125,000, an accountant's statement per participant.

Eligibility

Applicants must form a cooperative (samenwerkingsverband) of at least two parties, of which at least one must be a research organisation. Almost anyone may take part, including farmers, SMEs, and non-economic organisations such as foundations and associations, provided their activities contribute to agriculture. Provinces, municipalities and other public bodies cannot apply, and neither can large enterprises that are not research organisations. The cooperative must carry out the largest part of its subsidisable activities in one or more designated postcode areas in the provinces of Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. No participant may be an undertaking in difficulties. The applicant must obtain required environmental and building permits, must not start the project, enter obligations or incur costs before applying, and must show it can finance the project. In 2026 the scheme also requires eHerkenning assurance level 3 and uses revised work plan and budget formats. The page notes the call is currently closed.

How it's scored

An independent advisory committee ranks all applications that meet the conditions, based on the submitted work plan and project budget. Applications are scored on five ranking criteria, each scored 0 to 5 points and multiplied by a weighting factor: Effectiveness (weight 5, max 25 points), covering the added value of the experimental site, the choice of practical trials, contribution to government goals, putting results into practice and knowledge sharing; Feasibility (weight 4, max 20), covering work plan quality, cooperative quality, technical feasibility and evidence of regional support; Efficiency (weight 3, max 15), covering the ratio of costs to expected results, whether costs are necessary, and use of existing knowledge and labour; Innovation (weight 3, max 15), covering the technical and/or social boundary-pushing nature of the approach and the novelty of the experiments; and Farmer involvement (weight 2, max 10), where letters and statements from farmers supporting the site earn more points. The maximum total is 85 points, and applicants must score at least 50. Budget is allocated to the highest-scoring applications in rank order. The committee may request additional information during assessment.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicants must form a cooperative of at least two partners, one of which must be a research organisation
• ✓Trials must be conducted within designated postcode areas in the Netherlands
• ✓Trials must demonstrate progress toward at least one policy goal: fair income, lower emissions, animal welfare, biodiversity, or sustainable soil and water management
• ✓Applicants must secure matching funds through private money, in-kind contributions, or own funds; investments cannot be co-funded by provincial, municipal, or water-board authorities
• ✓Projects cannot begin or incur obligations before applying; necessary permits must be obtained

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) offer?

Experimental Sites for the Agricultural Sector offers $2.2M – $5.5M.

Who can apply for Experimental Sites for the Agricultural Sector?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; cooperative, university, research-institution, sme, nonprofit. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Regenerative agriculture funding supports soil health, cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry and grazing practices that store carbon and restore land. It comes through agricultural support schemes, research programmes and supply-chain initiatives run with food companies. Applicants often need farmer partners, field trial plans and a way to monitor soil outcomes.