In the 2025 autumn round of Take-off phase 2, 11 early-stage projects were awarded. The Take-off program allows researchers in phase 1 to test whether commercialization of an idea, derived from innovative research results, is feasible. In phase 2, innovative, knowledge-driven startups in the early stage of their development receive a loan to get their business off the ground.
News about the results of the Take-off phase 1 autumn round 2025 is expected to be published in early January.
Early-stage projects (phase 2)
Within the early-stage projects, startups receive a loan to bring their business - based on innovative research results from Dutch knowledge institutions - to market. This loan enables them to become commercially and technically viable. The goal is that entrepreneurs by the end of this project are able to convince other public and/or private parties to invest.
Touchwaves is one of the projects starting with an early-stage project and addresses the billion-dollar issue of cognitive overload in stressful environments with their Spatial Awareness System. This wearable technology uses the underutilized sense of touch by integrating flexible electronics into textiles for intuitive haptic feedback. Unlike current visually-oriented solutions, Touchwaves technology works through a separate cognitive processing channel, allowing users to gain spatial orientation without requiring visual attention. The goal of the project is to deliver a TRL 5 prototype, tested in simulators and specialized environments.
Additionally, the project BOBBY (Breathing Operator for BaBY) focuses on the breathing pattern of premature babies. Since almost all premature babies have difficulty with a rhythmic breathing pattern, this often leads to apneas and irregular breathing, with a risk of long-term cognitive damage. Bobby Neonatal offers automated skin stimulation to stabilize breathing, improve outcomes, and reduce workload for nurses. The goal of the project is to eliminate apneas in clinical settings, reduce alarm burden, and transform care for 13.4 million premature babies per year.
Pre-announcement Take-off phase 1 2026 and phase 2 spring round 2026 calls
Besides the allocations of the early-stage projects, there is more Take-off news. NWO expects to open the Take-off phase 1 call for proposals from early to mid-January 2026. The spring round of Take-off phase 2 is expected to open in early January 2026. The new call pages will be online soon, so keep an eye on the website. There are important changes for both calls.
Changes Take-off phase 1 Feasibility Studies 2026
- There is only one Call for proposals for 2026. The spring and autumn rounds are cancelled and submissions can be made continuously;
- The changes already introduced in the autumn round 2025 remain in effect.
Changes Take-off phase 2 Early-stage projects spring round 2026
- The pre-registration step is no longer part of the procedure; a full application is submitted immediately;
- The refund period if an application is inadmissible was previously 2 working days. This is increased to 10 working days;
- A minimum qualification is introduced of at least an average score of 4.0 in total and at least 5.4 on each individual criterion.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, NWO organizes two online information sessions about these calls. The information session about Take-off phase 1 Feasibility Studies 2026 takes place from 09:30 to 10:30. The information session about Take-off phase 2 Early-stage projects spring round 2026 takes place from 11:00 to 12:00. Registration for these information sessions can be done via the links below.
Disclaimer
This is solely an announcement of a proposed research program by NWO. The opportunity to apply for funding is open after publication of a Call for proposals in the Staatscourant.