ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
Projects must address the prioritized themes from the revised Investment Agenda 2026 (see Part III: SDI) of PharmaNL.
Another online information session will be organized for potential applicants. The purpose of this session is to explain the grant call and the grant application process. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the session. This session is expected to take place on October 1 at 4:00 p.m. Information on how to register for this online session will be provided at a later date.
This grant cycle consists of a project idea phase and a grant application phase. During the project idea phase, the program committee evaluates the project ideas for relevance and, in general, for quality. The committee selects the projects that best align with the objectives of the grant call and show the greatest potential. These projects receive a recommendation to develop the project idea into a complete grant application.
PharmaNL is organizing the SDI Connection Days to coincide with the launch of the new funding round. The Connection Days are scheduled for September 16 (Leiden), September 24 (Groningen) and September 29, 2026 (Oss). ZonMw will be present at these meetings to provide clarification on the grant call and to offer an opportunity to ask questions.
Lees meer over de PharmaNL Connection Days.
Source and image: ZonMw
Ruim 200 professionals uit de Life Sciences & Health-sector kwamen op dinsdag 22 september samen tijdens de vijfde LIFE Science Conference in Forum Groningen.
The announcement of the location on 21 September 2026 marks another step in the development of the Dutch AI factory. In addition to the AI supercomputer, the facility includes an expertise centre in the former Niemeyer factory, where knowledge, expertise and AI applications come together. The combination of knowledge, talent, entrepreneurship and advanced digital infrastructure further strengthens Groningen’s position as a hub for innovation. During her visit to Groningen, State Secretary for Digital Economy and Sovereignty Willemijn Aerdts also highlighted the importance of the new infrastructure. In her LinkedIn post, she emphasises access to knowledge, computing power and space as essential for developing and scaling AI applications in the Netherlands. Read more details in the article below by Richold Brandsma, originally published in Dagblad van het Noorden.AI factory supercomputer to be located at Zernike Campus in Groningen The supercomputer of the AI factory in Groningen will be located at Zernike Campus, near Eurofiber’s data centre. ICT cooperative SURF announced this on Monday afternoon during a visit to Groningen by State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts (Economic Affairs). The computer is expected to be operational by early 2028.EU seeks to reduce dependence on China and US To provide a counterweight to China and the US in particular, Europe is building its own AI factories. In addition to the Netherlands, these are being established in countries including Germany, France, Finland, Greece and Poland. An AI factory is already operational in Luxembourg. The factories are intended to increase Europe’s independence from major technology companies while strengthening its competitive position. Businesses, governments, researchers and educational institutions in the Netherlands will be able to use the enormous computing power provided by the supercomputer at Zernike Campus. They will have the opportunity to develop and apply AI models. The hope and expectation is that the Groningen supercomputer will contribute to economic growth.Computer’s residual heat to be used by WarmteStad According to SURF, the computer at Zernike Campus has already been incorporated into the electricity grid. The large amount of energy required by the computer is therefore not expected to lead to additional grid congestion. Its residual heat will be reused by municipal heating company WarmteStad, which currently supplies heat to more than 9,000 households. In addition to the computer at Zernike Campus, the AI factory includes an expertise centre located in the former Niemeyer factory in Groningen. The expertise centre is already supporting projects that make use of computing capacity at European AI factories. The AI factory is funded by the European Union, the Dutch government and the northern Netherlands region through the Nij Begun programme.
Royal Avebe won an international innovation award at the 2026 World Confectionery Awards. The Groningen-based cooperative received the award for PerfectaGEL®, an innovative potato starch that reduces the drying time of vegan gummies from a maximum of 72 hours to just 3 hours.
