TSE Industry: a guide for businesses
Direct answer
TSE Industrie is the Dutch subsidy scheme within the Topsector Energie programme that funds studies and research helping industrial companies move towards climate-neutral operations. The studies strand now continues under the name STUDI, Studies for Sustainable Industry, while the research strand runs through the EKOO scheme. Themes and conditions differ per funding round; always check the current status with RVO.
- Clear definition
- Data-driven assessment
- Risks and opportunities visible
- Practical next steps
TSE Industry: scattered information versus Energy Intelligence
Many industrial companies want to decarbonise, but an investment decision requires solid research first. Picture a food manufacturer that wants to know whether electric boilers can replace its steam boilers, and what that means for its grid connection and daily operations. Such a study costs time and money before anything is built. The Dutch government wants to lower that barrier, because sound studies are the first step towards concrete climate projects in industry. That is what this scheme is for.
- The studies strand of TSE Industrie is now called STUDI and supports feasibility studies, environmental studies and comparable studies through RVO.
- A funded study prepares a concrete follow-up project, such as a demonstration under DEI+ or an investment in proven technology under VEKI.
- Applications are submitted via mijn.rvo.nl during an open funding round; the available budget can be oversubscribed before the closing date.
Insight
Traditional approach
Information is scattered across portals, documents, invoices or separate spreadsheets.
Modern approach
Data, context and interpretation are brought together into a clear decision picture.
Decision-making
Traditional approach
Choices are made based on averages, assumptions or occasional analyses.
Modern approach
Scenarios, KPIs and current measurement data make the trade-off more concrete and repeatable.
Follow-up
Traditional approach
Actions often stay non-committal or disappear into separate reports.
Modern approach
Follow-up actions, monitoring and reporting are linked to the same energy data.
How is TSE Industrie structured?
For years, TSE Industrie was the umbrella name for the industry subsidies within the Dutch Topsector Energie programme. The scheme had two strands. The first strand supports studies that prepare a climate investment. This part continues as STUDI, in full Studies for Sustainable Industry. The second strand supports research and development in consortia. This part now runs through EKOO Industry, part of the scheme for energy and climate research and development (EKOO). The core has stayed the same: projects must help reduce CO2 emissions in Dutch industry within ten years of completing the study. Each funding round has its own emphases, covering subjects such as more energy-efficient processes, electrification and the reuse of raw materials. The exact scope differs per round; always check the current scheme text with RVO.
- Studies strand continues as STUDI, Studies for Sustainable Industry
- Research and development strand runs through EKOO Industry
- Goal: lower CO2 emissions in Dutch industry
- Subjects such as more energy-efficient processes, electrification and reuse of raw materials vary per round
Which studies qualify, and who can apply?
STUDI distinguishes three types of study. A feasibility study prepares an innovative pilot project and maps out its opportunities, risks and chances of success. An environmental study prepares an investment in technology that is already fully developed, for example as a stepping stone towards a DEI+, VEKI or NIKI project. A comparable study falls outside those two definitions but serves the same purpose, such as analyses preparing an application to the European Innovation Fund. The scheme targets companies with industrial activities as defined in the Dutch standard industrial classification maintained by Statistics Netherlands. You carry out the study yourself or within a consortium, possibly together with a research organisation. A study runs for a maximum of one to two years, depending on the size of the application.
- Feasibility study: prepares an innovative pilot project
- Environmental study: prepares an investment in fully developed technology
- Comparable study: includes preparation for the Innovation Fund
- For companies with industrial activities, alone or in a consortium
- Duration of one to two years at most
How does an application work, and what are the trade-offs?
First check whether a funding round is open and whether your subject fits the themes of that round. RVO offers a project idea form that lets you have your plan assessed in advance. This prevents wasted effort on an application without prospects. You then submit the application digitally via mijn.rvo.nl, including a project plan and a budget. The main advantage of the scheme is that it makes the research phase affordable and connects logically to follow-up subsidies for demonstration and roll-out. There are also drawbacks. Preparation takes time, funding rounds are limited, and the budget can be oversubscribed before the closing date. An application therefore carries no guarantee of an award. Plan a study well ahead of your intended investment moment.
- Have your project idea assessed in advance via RVO's project idea form
- Submission is digital via mijn.rvo.nl during an open round
- Advantage: lowers the barrier for the research phase of climate projects
- Drawback: limited funding rounds and a risk of oversubscribed budgets
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