New MIT Innovation Brokers scheme now open!

NEW REGULATION MIT innovation brokers (open from 1-9-2024)

The new MIT Innovation Brokers scheme is open with effect from 1 September 2024 and will run until 31 August 2025 as long as funding is available. An SME entrepreneur with an innovation question can apply to hire an MIT Innovation Broker. An MIT Innovation Broker is intended to provide an innovation advisory service. This may include:

• innovation of products, processes or services;

• providing technology assistance;

• technology transfer services.

The applicant can e.g. be an SME entrepreneur from the logistics sector itself, a shipping SME that wants to renew its logistics chain, but also an SME that develops products or services for the benefit of the logistics sector, such as circular packaging, innovative planning systems and smart logistics applications of sensors. You can therefore use research, advice or technical support for this (it is not the intention that you will actually implement within this scheme). See the appendix MIT Content Framework for further substantive information on the topics possible within this scheme.

The MIT innovation brokerage scheme is a scheme specifically for SMEs (check here whether you fall under the definition of SME and thus may be eligible for funding.

InspirationWant to know which SMEs have preceded you in this scheme? Check out one of the articles below:

• More insight into a circular chain for wine bottles thanks to the MIT Innovation Broker Scheme

• Start-up BOXO can grow through thanks to MIT Innovation Broker

• Ijsexpress digitises courtesy of MIT Innovation Broker

• Transport company Overbeek BV ready for the future thanks to MIT Innovation Broker

What can you apply for?
Maximum grant per project: the grant amounts to 100% of eligible costs (calculated on budgeted number of hours x rate) and is a maximum of €7,500 per SME entrepreneur (e.g. depending on the number of applications and availability of budget.

 How to apply?

• With the grant contribution you, as an SME, will select your own innovation broker who will carry out the innovation brokerage service for you;

• Followed by a completed and signed application form (at the bottom of this page), you will submit the application to Dinalog at tenders@dinalog.nl.

Evaluation and honours

• Dinalog applications are processed in order of receipt and assessed based on.:

  • the content matching on 1 or more themes from the MIT SME plan of the Top Sector Logistics;

  • the contribution to the societal challenges;

  • the promotion of innovations and of the adaptation of new technologies to improve the economic clout and earning capacity of Dutch logistics;

  • striving to make the use of MIT funds as broad as possible across as many SMEs and innovation brokers as possible (maximum reach of available funds across topics, sub-sectors, modalities, etc.).

• Dinalog aims to respond to your application within a maximum of 2 weeks;

• If your application is granted, you will receive a decision / written commitment of the grant with a start and end date;

Project execution, completion and payment

• After the decision, you can start in accordance with the start and end time as indicated in the decision (also based on your application);

• The costs to be claimed are eligible insofar as they are incurred for having innovation advisory services provided by innovation brokers to you as an SME entrepreneur. These advisory services are only eligible if they are carried out by innovation brokers at market rates and do not involve actual implementation).

• As soon as the innovation broker's work is completed, you pay the innovation broker's invoices and report to Dinalog o.e.g. a short content report; invoices and payment receipts and a statement that the service has been delivered.

• As soon as Dinalog has determined your report, we will send a confirmation letter for determination and pay out the grant to you.

Are you interested?
Do you have any questions or would you like more information? Then contact us!