TechBridge: Oproep Duitsland 2026 – Next-Generation Battery Technologies and Manufacturing

About this grant

TechBridge is a bilateral call from the Netherlands and Germany that funds joint R&D projects between Dutch and German partners. It targets the development, prototyping and testing of sustainable battery technologies and battery manufacturing. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) runs the call, and RVO administers the Dutch side. The Dutch contribution is financed from the Nationaal Groeifonds project Material Independence and Circular Batteries (MICB). The call addresses the strategic importance of key technologies from the Dutch National Technology Strategy (NTS) and the need for international collaboration to accelerate them and bring market-ready solutions to practice faster. Projects must aim to research or develop an innovative product, process or service with the goal of commercialising the results. Technological risk must exist for all participating partners, and projects must be civil in application. The maximum project duration is 36 months. The consortium must include at least one Dutch company and one German company. Other organisations, such as knowledge institutions, may join as project partners once that condition is met. Dutch knowledge institutions may participate only if at least one Dutch company is part of the Dutch consortium, and the Dutch consortium leader must be a Dutch company. Only research and development activities are funded. Other costs must be covered by participants' own contributions. Costs must be balanced across the participating countries, and no single country may account for more than 70% of total costs. National subsidy rates apply to total project costs. For research activities, SMEs receive 45%, industry 35% and universities or knowledge institutions 50%. For development activities, SMEs receive 35%, industry 25% and universities or knowledge institutions 25%. Applicants must submit a national application to RVO, including the application form, project plan, International Consortium Form, project budget, public summary and declarations for each company. German partners apply separately to Projektträger Jülich (PTJ) using the same project title.

Eligibility

Dutch businesses, knowledge institutions and research organisations may apply as part of a Dutch consortium. The consortium must include at least one Dutch company and one German company, and the Dutch consortium leader must be a Dutch company. Knowledge institutions may join as project partners only when at least one Dutch company is in the Dutch consortium. German partners must meet the rules of Projektträger Jülich. The project must be civil in nature and fall within the scope of the call. Each organisation or participating country may not account for more than 70% of total eligible project costs. Only research and development activities are funded, and each participant must cover non-R&D costs from its own contribution. The project must have a technological risk for all partners, aim to commercialise the results, and run for no more than 36 months. Each Dutch company must provide a declaration that it is not in difficulty.

How it's scored

The page does not describe scoring criteria, weightings or panel composition. It refers to the full call text (1st Call for Proposals for Joint R&D Projects between Germany and the Netherlands) for details. The stated requirements include innovation, clear added value from technological cooperation, a balanced cost split across countries, and commercialisation intent. RVO may ask questions about the project budget during assessment and issues a decision within 13 weeks of application.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a Dutch entrepreneur, knowledge institution or research organisation
• ✓Project must be developed with an innovative partner from Germany
• ✓Focus on next-generation battery technology and manufacturing; applications open 1 October 2026 to 19 January 2027

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

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

TechBridge: Oproep Duitsland 2026 – Next-Generation Battery Technologies and Manufacturing offers $2.2M.

When is the TechBridge: Oproep Duitsland 2026 – Next-Generation Battery Technologies and Manufacturing deadline?

Applications close 19 Jan 2027 17:00.

Who can apply for TechBridge: Oproep Duitsland 2026 – Next-Generation Battery Technologies and Manufacturing?

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

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Energy storage funding spans batteries, long-duration storage, thermal storage and the controls that dispatch them. Research calls focus on chemistry and system cost. Demonstration programmes test grid services, while tenders buy capacity, flexibility and installation contracts. Buyers usually want evidence of safety certification, round-trip efficiency and a credible route to grid connection.