NEW-ttt Challenge: accelerate your water technology towards real-world application
Are you a start-up, researcher or PhD candidate with a promising innovation in Enabling Water Technology? Submit a proposal for a validation project within the NEW-ttt Challenge. Selected projects can receive up to €25,000 in support for validation activities, including access to laboratories, equipment, materials and technical expertise. This will help you move your technology more rapidly towards practical application.
The call is open until 31 October 2026.
Validation projects in water technology
The Netherlands Enabling Water Technology (NEW-ttt) programme invites start-ups, researchers and PhD candidates to submit proposals for validation projects in the field of Enabling Water Technology. This NEW-ttt Challenge supports short, focused validation activities that strengthen the technical foundation, feasibility and market readiness of promising water technology innovations. Projects are carried out in collaboration with the unique facilities and expertise of Deltares, Wetsus and the University of Groningen (RUG).
Purpose of the NEW-ttt validation challenge
Validation projects help innovators take the step from early-stage research to real market application. They do so by providing access to specialised testing facilities and by supporting the further development of technologies at TRL levels 3–5. In addition, they play a key role in demonstrating feasibility and building the necessary evidence base. At the same time, these projects prepare teams for next steps in business development—such as programmes like Innokite—or for attracting early-stage funding.
Who can apply?
Startende Nederlandse start-ups of spin-offs die verbonden zijn aan kennisinstellingen en nog geen significante commerciële omzet hebben en onderzoekers of promovendi met een technologie op het gebied van waterbehandeling, monitoring, modellering, terugwinning van grondstoffen of verwante enabling technologies. De maximale projectduur is 6 maanden.
What do we offer?
Selected projects receive:
- Support of up to €25,000 for validation activities, provided in the form of access to laboratory facilities, measurement equipment, materials, technical expertise and validation support (subject to availability). No direct financial transfers are made to applicants;
- Access to laboratories, pilot installations or testing facilities at Deltares, Wetsus or the University of Groningen;
- Guidance from the NEW-ttt team throughout the project;
- Optional access to support in business development and investor readiness.
Assessment criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by the NEW-ttt valorisation team based on:
- Relevance within Enabling Water Technology
- Technical and commercial potential
- Quality and diversity of the team
- Feasibility of the work plan
- Expected TRL progression
- Fit with available validation facilities
- Contribution to the long-term objectives of NEW-ttt
A positive evaluation does not automatically mean that all requested support can be provided exactly as described. Following selection, the applicant will work with the host research organisation to develop a detailed and feasible work plan. This plan will define, among other things, the activities, practical feasibility, required resources, timeline, safety aspects and availability of facilities. The validation project will only start once this joint work plan has been approved by both the applicant and the NEW-ttt partners.
Submit your proposal
Complete the NEW-ttt template for validation projects and send your application as a PDF to: new-tttvalidationproject@wetsus.nl
Subject line: Validation Call – [your project name]
The call is open until 31 October 2026.
Questions?
For questions or support, please contact: new-tttvalidationproject@wetsus.nl
NEW-ttt is co-funded by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
