The National Growth Fund has launched the CIIIC Kern call, offering EUR 5 million to support applied research projects of 1.5 to 2 years focused on immersive experiences (IX), where digital and physical elements combine to create rich, sensory interactions. The funding is intended for research conducted collaboratively by research organisations with at least two SMEs or one SME and one public organisation, exploring the responsible and effective application of immersive experiences in the public sector and small-to-medium enterprises.
CIIIC Kern aims to advance demand-driven research into the deployment of IX across various sectors, including creative and cultural industries, knowledge institutions, healthcare, and safety. Applications range from using controlled virtual environments to support PTSD treatment to creating immersive museum experiences where visitors engage with classic artworks through light, sound, and movement. Projects are expected to test and validate IX methods and tools, while investigating preconditions and perspectives for their strategic use.
Each project can receive up to EUR 300,000 in funding, with research partners required to contribute at least 50% of the total research budget. Proposals must be submitted by 21 April 2026 at 14:00. The funding is designed to encourage collaboration and strengthen the innovation ecosystem for immersive experiences in both SMEs and the public sector.
CIIIC Kern is part of the broader CIIIC programme under the National Growth Fund, which seeks to increase capacity for immersive experiences, support creators and industry, and safeguard public interest. The programme, developed by CIIIC and implemented by organisations including NWO, TNO, the Creative Industries Fund NL, CLICKNL, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), promotes collaboration across the knowledge chain and contributes to innovation, sustainable economic growth, and societal welfare in the Netherlands.
