Evaluation of MIT and IPC schemes

In 2023, Dialogic and SEO jointly evaluated the MIT scheme (mkb-innovatiestimulering Regio en Topsectoren) and the IPC scheme (innovatieprestatiecontracten). On 21 November 2023, Minister Adriaansens presented both evaluations to the House of Representatives. Both evaluations are critical. Based on this, the minister decided to abolish the IPC scheme and to only extend the MIT scheme – an instrument shared by the State and Regions vital for mkb – for just 1 year instead of the usual 5 years. She remarked the following: "given the critical evaluation, I want to provide a future cabinet with the opportunity to revise the MIT scheme or give it a different form to meet the goal of stimulating innovation within mkb." The report outlines two scenarios for this purpose and offers various recommendations.

Background

The Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Innovation Promotion Region and Top Sectors (MIT scheme) has promoted innovation among mkb since 2013. The scheme consists of five sub-instruments, with the two most important in terms of available subsidy budget, feasibility studies and R&D collaborative projects, being financed in conjunction with the provinces since 2015, with regional submission requirements. Other sub-instruments include knowledge vouchers and two sub-instruments for the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs), namely budgets per TKI for innovation brokers and network activities. The aim of the Innovation Performance Contracts (IPC scheme) is to enhance the innovation capacity of mkb through increased collaboration and the use of external expertise. To achieve this, a group of ten to twenty mkb companies, under the leadership of a lead partner, can receive subsidies for developing an overarching innovation plan and their individual innovation plans within this framework. Both reports as well as the minister's accompanying letter to the House of Representatives can be found here.