The province of Noord-Brabant has announced the launch of BOOST (the Brabant Supporting Organisation Student Teams), a new development platform designed to accelerate student innovation across the region.
With an allocation of €2.8M from the Provincie Noord-Brabant, the initiative offers funding to student teams from MBO, HBO, and WO institutions in the province.
The subsidy fund, the largest of its kind in the Netherlands for student teams, offers financial support to students from secondary vocational, higher professional, and university education in Brabant over the next five years.
Nick Hol, Chairman of BOOST, says, “BOOST is the Brabant-wide development agency for student teams. With this platform, we create opportunities for young talents to develop and contribute to the future of Brabant.”
Meet BOOST!
BOOST is a collaboration between 10 educational institutions in North Brabant, providing more than 150,000 students with access to funding and resources.
As a non-profit development agency, the initiative supports innovations that tackle social and technological challenges with a focus on positive regional impact.
BOOST offers two key grants: the Innovation Grant, which provides up to €40,000 for ambitious projects, and the Kickstarter Grant, offering up to €1,500 to help start early-stage teams.
Additionally, BOOST provides an online platform with resources, events, and vacancies, and plans to expand with scholarships, shared cars, and marketing to increase visibility and engagement across the province.
Provincial administrator, Martijn van Gruijthuijsen, says, “In Brabant, we come up with smart solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our universities, colleges and vocational education institutions are the breeding ground for talent with innovative solutions.”
“We can make good use of that brainpower and bravado of students, and as a province, we are happy to give it a push. I can’t wait to see what great ideas our Brabant talent will come up with.”
Application process
BOOST has outlined a clear process for students in Noord-Brabant to apply for grants to support new or existing innovative student teams.
Applicants should first define their project idea and select either the Starter or Innovation Grant. They can schedule an optional online meeting with BOOST for guidance and a pitch evaluation.
After completing the required documentation, applicants submit their applications for review by a panel of experts. Successful applicants will receive funding and a contract. For Innovation Grant recipients, a follow-up evaluation will ensure the project progresses as planned.
The project submissions are reviewed by the province. Register here.
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