Get support for technical clarification and testing at an early stage

Does your company have a strong idea but lack access to specialized knowledge to move forward? With a knowledge bridge project, you can receive up to DKK 200,000 in support to collaborate with some of Denmark’s leading universities and knowledge institutions.

The aim is to accelerate the development of water and environmental technology solutions in the early stages – e.g. through testing, technology validation, data collection or preparation for certification.

A knowledge bridge project helps you take the technology from idea to proof of concept or prototype and brings you closer to the market with a concrete solution.

What is a knowledge bridge project?

Knowledge bridge projects bring knowledge from researchers and experts into companies, where it is translated into new technology, products, or solutions—often at an early stage when the technology is not yet fully mature.

In short, a knowledge bridge project builds bridges between companies and knowledge institutions. The projects are always based on the needs of the company and aim to accelerate innovation and create lasting value.

How can you get support?

The support can be used for, for example:

Technology validation and proof of concept
Small-scale testing and demonstration
Feasibility studies
Data collection and analysis
Preparation for patent or certification

The focus is on early-stage development projects – typically where technology needs to be lifted from TRL 2–3 to TRL 4–6.

A knowledge bridge project at Denmark’s Water and Environment Cluster must fall within one or more of Clean’s five focus areas and must, as a starting point, fit in with our innovation priorities. A knowledge bridge project may be cross-cutting across several of the five focus areas:

focus areas in clean

The focus is typically on early-stage technology development, which needs to be accelerated and will most often lift research/technology development from TRL 2-3 to TRL 4-6 or provide proof of concept.

Who can apply?

Projects must include at least one SME and one knowledge partner
It is considered a plus if a problem owner (e.g., municipality, utility, or large company) participates
The project must fall within one or more of Cleantech’s five focus areas (e.g., water technology, resource efficiency, circular economy)

What can you get?

Up to DKK 100,000 for your business
Up to DKK 100,000 for the knowledge partner(s)
No cash co-financing required – only your own working hours
The total de minimis support for the project amounts to DKK 200,000, which is allocated to the applicant company

Practicalities

Formalities

Support rate for companies: Standard rate (DKK 398/hour) + 40% overhead = 70% support
Support rate for universities and knowledge institutions: Standard rate (DKK 398/hour) + 44% overhead = 100% support
Support rate for GTS institutes: Applicable GTS rate = 100% support

Schedule and application

June 30 – 2025: Application round opens
August 30 – 2025: Application deadline
September 1 – 2025: Clean and external evaluators assess the applications
October 1 – 2025: Acceptance/rejection notifications to applicants – including collection of partner declaration, de minimis declaration, etc.
June 1 – 2026: Project completion and deadline for submission of final project report

Funding is disbursed on an ongoing basis and without any requirement for cash co-financing – only working hours from the company.

Evaluation criteria

The application is assessed in collaboration with external evaluators and primarily based on the following criteria:

Level of innovation (weighted 40%)
Originality/new knowledge, utilization of the knowledge partner’s knowledge and competencies, novelty value, and change in TRL level (most often, projects can contribute to raising the TRL level in the development stage).

Development potential (weighted 30%)
How does the project contribute to increasing the company’s growth and export potential?

Value creation (30%)
How does the project respond to specific market challenges and create specific environmental and climate effects?

Is this something for you?

Please do not hesitate to contact Clean for consultation on potential project ideas – if you have any questions, we are happy to assist.

Project examples and inspiration from previous knowledge bridge projects

See the knowledge bridge catalog here

We encourage all interested companies and knowledge institutions to contact Clean with potential project ideas.

The 21 knowledge institutions that Clean collaborates with include:

The knowledge partners help drive innovation forward and ensure that Clean can continue to lead the innovation of water and environmental technology in Denmark.