Studies for sustainable industry Grant

About this grant

STUDI (Studies voor Duurzame Industrie) is a Dutch government subsidy, administered by RVO and funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, that co-funds feasibility and environmental studies for industrial companies. It aims to reduce CO2 emissions in Dutch industry within ten years by helping firms decide whether to invest in a follow-on pilot, demonstration, or proven-technology project. The former name of the scheme was TSE Industrie studies. The subsidy covers three types of study. A feasibility study (haalbaarheidsstudie) prepares a pilot project, such as a DEI+ pilot, and assesses its strengths, weaknesses, risks, and chance of success. An environmental study (milieustudie) prepares a demonstration project or a project using a proven technology, such as a DEI+ demonstration, a VEKI project, or a NIKI project, and must lead to lower CO2 emissions in line with the AGVV environmental investment aid rules. A comparable study (vergelijkbare studie) examines an environmental investment in a demonstration project or a proven technology that falls outside the AGVV, and is funded under de minimis aid. Eligible topics include energy-efficiency process changes, substitution of primary with secondary raw materials, CO2 capture for use or permanent storage, and electrification of fossil-fuel systems. The work must be mainly desk-based, such as literature review, market exploration, competitor analysis, permit and legal feasibility work, business cases, pre-engineering, and parts of FEED. Limited testing is allowed only where it answers feasibility questions needed for the investment decision. Industrial research and experimental development are excluded. Studies may last up to one year for requests of up to EUR 1 million and up to two years for larger requests. Municipalities and provinces may take part but do not receive subsidy themselves. According to the page, the budget is oversubscribed and applications are processed in order of arrival, so the remaining budget may change. Separate budgets exist for hydrogen and green chemistry studies (EUR 10 million, via GroenvermogenNL) and for gasification of residual streams (EUR 7.5 million). Applications are submitted through the RVO portal with eHerkenning at assurance level 3 with RVO-diensten authorisation. Optional free advice on a project idea is available through a project idea form before applying.

Eligibility

The subsidy is open to a company that carries out a study alone or in a collaboration. The study must concern a company in the industry sector, defined by SBI main groups B, C, D (energy distribution only), and E, with RVO making the final determination of industry status. At least one participating company must intend to use the study results in its own operations and plan to invest in the follow-on project. Research organisations may participate, but a signed collaboration agreement is required before the study starts if one is involved. The collaboration must be reasonably balanced in cost and financing between private and public parties. Companies in difficulty under the AGVV definition are excluded. For comparable studies, a de minimis declaration is required, and aid is capped at EUR 300,000 over three years. Subsidy covers only costs directly linked to the study, and staff costs for an affiliated company are capped at EUR 25,000 unless that company is a participant. For environmental and comparable studies, only costs of third parties outside the consortium or group count, and the minimum request is EUR 25,000.

How it's scored

The page does not describe a scoring matrix, weightings, or panel composition. RVO may reject applications whose study quality is insufficient, judged on the approach and methodology, risk management, feasibility of execution, participating parties, and effective and efficient use of funds. Applications are also rejected if more than half the study consists of testing aimed at improving or developing a product, process, or service, which would amount to industrial research or experimental development. Applications are further rejected if the applicant already received pilot, demonstration, or proven-technology subsidy for the follow-on project (SDE++ excepted), if the next steps after a positive result are insufficiently described, or if the technology is insufficiently innovative for a pilot or demonstration preparation. For environmental and comparable studies, applicants must show a payback period above five years for the investment studied. Applications are processed in order of arrival.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be an industrial entrepreneur (ondernemer in de industrie) working with partners
• ✓Project must be a feasibility study for an innovative pilot or demonstration project that reduces CO2 emissions
• ✓Applications accepted from 18 May 2026 through 31 March 2027

Frequently asked questions

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

Studies for sustainable industry offers $28K – $4.4M.

Who can apply for Studies for sustainable industry?

Eligibility covers organisations in NL; sme, large-company, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Industrial decarbonisation funding helps heavy industry cut emissions through electrification, fuel switching, process change and efficiency. Support is often capital-intensive and tied to a specific site, with feasibility studies leading to larger deployment calls. Applicants need emissions baselines, engineering studies and a plan to keep production running during the change.