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Building a life sciences company is hard enough. Finding the right expertise, lab space, funding, and networks should not slow you down. The Leiden Bio Science Park Innovatievouchers are here to help. They are designed for startups and growing SMEs that need real support to move faster, reach milestones, and stay focused on building what matters. It is about helping you break through, not hold you back.

How it works

The Innovatievoucher program helps you take your next step at Leiden Bio Science Park. You can apply for two types of support:

  • Advice Vouchers: expert advice via the Unlock_ incubator program
  • Facility Vouchers: co-financing to set up or expand your operations

All applications are built on specific building blocks. You select the elements that match your needs, and your plan must explain how the voucher will be used.

Kansen voor West

The Innovatievoucher program is part of Kansen voor West, a regional initiative to strengthen innovation and economic growth in the western Netherlands.

Through this initiative, public and private funds are combined to help high-potential companies scale up.

Advice vouchers

Get expert advice through the Unlock_ incubator to shape your business and accelerate progress. You choose from four Unlock_ program tracks, or combine them. Your application must clearly state which elements you’re using and how they support your growth plan. What you get:

  • Up to €15,000 in 100% subsidy
  • Access to expert sessions and coaching
  • Participation in one or more Unlock_ tracks
  • Applications must follow specific building blocks

Facility vouchers

Get up to €15,000 in 50% co-financing for the costs of setting up your space at Leiden Bio Science Park. Your plan must be based on one or more of these building blocks:

  • Rent at BioPartner
  • Rent at Plus Ultra
  • Purchase of office or lab equipment

Other providers may also qualify, as long as the services and costs are comparable.

What you get?

These Innovation Vouchers are a targeted push to help shape the future of health at Leiden Bio Science Park. The vouchers are here to give you what you need when you need it, whether that’s expert guidance, space to grow, or equipment to get started. No noise, no delays. Just focused support that helps you act with clarity.

We invite you to take that next step. Use this program to sharpen your plans, set up your operations, and stay on track as you build something that matters.

How to apply

  1. Choose the voucher(s) that fit your needs
  2. Build your plan using the correct building blocks
  3. Submit your application with a clear explanation

Check out the FAQ for details on building blocks, funding limits, and timelines

Apply here (open since Wednesday, October 8 @ 11:00)

Can’t find the answer to your question? Feel free to reach out to Gerwin Zomers!

1. Which voucher options are available?

We offer two types of vouchers, each worth up to € 15,000 in subsidy.

Voucher What it covers Subsidy rate
Advice Voucher Full cost of the Unlock_ Advisory Programme 100 %
Facilities Voucher Rent plus office or laboratory equipment 50 %

When you start the online application form, the first question asks you to choose the voucher(s) you are applying for.

Please note: only one application per organization is allowed. You cannot request both an advice and facilities voucher, unfortunately. 

2. What does the application process look like?

  1. Read this FAQ carefully.
  2. Complete the online application form. Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory. Incomplete submissions will be declined. See here for a preview of the form.
  3. Upload the required supporting documents:
  1. Submit the form. You will receive an email confirmation.
  2. Committee review. See “How long does the approval take and what are the criteria”  for details.
  3. Decision notification. You will receive an approval or refusal message by email.
  4. Subsidy payment

Resources

  • SME flowchart: Only SMEs are eligible for the vouchers. We verify SME status using the Chamber of Commerce extract.
  • De-minimis State Aid declaration: Only aid explicitly labeled as de-minimis counts toward the maximum allowed state aid. Please check the details of any previously received state aid. Tax incentives (such as WBSO) are not considered de-minimis aid.

3. How long does the approval take, and what are the criteria?

The committee aims to complete the review in about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the number of applications received at the same time.

During its assessment, the committee will:

  • Verify the information in your SME flowchart and De Minimis declaration.
  • Check that your organization:
    • Is located at or formally affiliated with Leiden Bio Science Park.
    • Contributes to innovative value creation.
    • Has a viable business model.

*Complex cases may take longer; we will inform you if additional time is needed.

4. When and how do I receive the subsidy?

Payment is made after you submit proof of expenditure:

  • Advice Voucher: We transfer the full amount (excl. VAT) upon receipt of the single Unlock_ invoice.
  • Facilities Voucher: Once you have incurred € 30,000 (excl. VAT) in eligible rent/equipment costs, send us the invoices and proof of payment. We will reimburse 50 %, up to € 15,000.

The specific next steps and bank‑details form will be included in your approval email.

5. I have another question—who can I contact?

If you have questions, please start by contacting the advisory or facility organization linked to your voucher. Still need help or have another question? Please email us at gerwin.zomers@leidenbiosciencepark.nl.