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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This program aims to enhance the cyber resilience of Flemish businesses by providing various financial support instruments. It helps organizations invest in external cybersecurity advice, training, and innovation. - Target recipient type: Businesses ('ondernemingen'), including SMEs ('kmo's'), 'maatwerkbedrijven' (tailored companies, often social enterprises), and non-SMEs subject to the NIS2-directive. - Target size: Varies from small to large enterprises. - SECTOR-AGNOSTIC - Geographic scope: Flanders, Belgium (Flemish Region). - Key filtering criteria: Located in Flanders, engaged in economic activity, seeking to improve cybersecurity, and fitting specific instrument's size or type criteria. - Grant frequency: Recurring program with various, ongoing instruments.

Financial Structure

Funding is provided as a subsidy, not a loan or equity.
Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten:
- Eligible project costs range from €8,500 to €35,000 (excl. BTW).
- Funding rate: 50% for SMEs and 'maatwerkbedrijven'.
- Funding rate: 35% for non-SMEs covered by the NIS2-directive.
Kmo-portefeuille (for cybersecurity):
- Maximum annual subsidy amount: €7,500.
- Funding rate: 45% for small businesses.
- Funding rate: 35% for medium-sized businesses.
Innovatiesteun (Ontwikkelingsproject):
- Funding rate: 25% to 50% of accepted costs.
- Minimum subsidy amount: €25,000.
- Maximum subsidy amount: €3,000,000.
Innovatiesteun (Onderzoeksproject):
- Funding rate: 25% to 60% of accepted costs.
- Minimum subsidy amount: €100,000.
Innovatieve starterssteun:
- Fixed subsidy amount: €50,000.
Currency: EUR.
Co-financing: Required for all instruments, as funding is a percentage of eligible costs.
Eligible costs vary by instrument:
- Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten: Costs for external guidance from approved service providers.
- Kmo-portefeuille: Costs for external training or advice from registered service providers.
- Innovatiesteun: Personnel and other costs related to R&D activities (research projects), or development activities for new/improved products, processes, services (development projects).
De-minimis regulation applies to some instruments (Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten, Kmo-portefeuille), limiting total de-minimis aid to €300,000 over three fiscal years.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Geographic Scope

Must be an 'onderneming' (business) or 'maatwerkbedrijf' (tailored company) with economic activity, located in the Flemish Region ('Vlaamse Gewest').
For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten: open to Flemish SMEs ('kmo's'), 'maatwerkbedrijven', and non-SMEs that fall under the NIS2-directive.
For Kmo-portefeuille: restricted to SMEs ('kmo's') and 'beoefenaars van vrije beroepen' (liberal professions); 'vzw's' (non-profits) are generally excluded for this specific instrument.
For Innovatiesteun (Ontwikkelings- or Onderzoeksproject): open to 'ondernemingen' (businesses), including 'vzw's' with economic activity.
For Innovatieve starterssteun: open to 'kleine ondernemingen' (small businesses), including 'vzw's' with economic activity, that are younger than two years.

Technical & Operational Requirements

For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten: Requires engagement with an external service provider selected within the Flemish government's framework contract for cybersecurity improvement.

General Exclusions

Subject to the EU de-minimis regulation: total de-minimis aid received over three fiscal years must not exceed €300,000. Exceeding this limit means the latest aid pushing over the threshold must be repaid.

Application Process

Application procedures vary by instrument (e.g., via e-loketondernemers or VLAIO-app for Kmo-portefeuille, or direct submission for Innovation Support).
For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten, applicants must choose from a list of pre-selected service providers before applying.

Deadlines and Timeline

The overall program consists of ongoing subsidy instruments.
Specific deadlines apply to certain calls within the program; for instance, the 'Defensie 2025' call for Ontwikkelings- or Onderzoeksprojecten has a submission window from 2025-05-28 08:00 to 2025-11-04 12:00 (CET).

Support Offered

Monetary subsidies.
For Innovatieve starterssteun: includes external expert guidance and business case advice from VLAIO and partners in addition to financial support.
For Ontwikkelingsproject: VLAIO business advisors can provide guidance on business case and project plan prior to application.

Post-Award Requirements

Compliance with de-minimis rules for applicable instruments (applicants must track total de-minimis aid received).

Evaluation Criteria

Project Alignment & Impact

For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten: Project must aim to sustainably improve cyber safety.
For Kmo-portefeuille: Project must fall under the theme of 'digitalisering – cybersecurity' for eligibility for the increased subsidy percentage.
For Innovatiesteun: Project must involve new or improved product, process, or service, or systematic building of new knowledge, insights, and skills. Strong emphasis on innovation and pioneering role (especially for Innovatieve starterssteun).
For Innovatiesteun: Projects should demonstrate change and strengthening of the enterprise in the short term (development) or long term (research).

Solution Quality & Expertise

For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten: Quality is ensured by the requirement to use recognized service providers from a pre-approved list.

Strategic Relevance

Projects must address the increasing need for cybersecurity in the context of increased digitalization and risk of hacking.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

De-minimis Regulation: Several instruments, including Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten and Kmo-portefeuille, are subject to the EU de-minimis regulation, limiting total state aid to €300,000 over any three-year period.
NIS2-directive: Non-SMEs applying for Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten must fall under the NIS2-directive.

Partner Requirements

For Cybersecurity verbetertrajecten, the use of recognized service providers from a specific VLAIO framework contract is mandatory.

Strategic Alignment

The program aims to foster investment in cybersecurity, aligning with the increasing need for digital security in the economy and society.
Innovation support components encourage pioneering roles and the development of new knowledge and technologies in cybersecurity and digitalization.

Grant Details