Innovation Norway startup grants, loans and innovation contracts

Deadlines

Applications are taken continuously. There is no cut-off to plan around; decisions follow the agency's own handling time.

All schemes state a continuous application deadline. Processing of Oppstartstilskudd 1 is currently 3 to 4 weeks. The 2026 state budget proposal cuts NOK 94 million from startup grants, risk loans and innovation contracts, so budgets may run out during the year.

Checked 2026-09-07 against en.innovasjonnorge.no , innovasjonnorge.no . Confirm on the official page before you plan a submission.

Who can apply

Open to companies in Norway. Companies registered as a Norwegian AS (or NUF) less than 5 years old for the startup grants and loan, not majority owned by an established business. Innovation contracts: mainly SMEs developing a new solution with a binding pilot customer that contributes at least 20% of total project costs.

Amount

Oppstartstilskudd 1: up to NOK 150 000, up to 100% of invoiced costs. Oppstartstilskudd 2: up to NOK 1 million per company, at most 50% of approved project costs. Oppstartslån: NOK 1 million to 2 million, up to 50% of project costs, 6 year term with the first 3 years interest and payment free. Innovasjonskontrakter: minimum NOK 1 million, up to 45% of project costs for small companies.