SLIM is the Dutch scheme that subsidises learning and development in SMEs — and AI-literacy training for staff often fits it. Here is how an application actually works, what qualifies, and what to expect realistically. No promised outcomes: subsidy is never guaranteed.
Last updated: 8 September 2026
SLIM (Stimuleringsregeling Leren en ontwikkelen In Mkb-ondernemingen) can subsidise a substantial share of training costs — for small SMEs often up to around 60% of eligible costs. You apply during fixed application rounds via the government's Uitvoering van Beleid portal, with a learning/development plan. AI-literacy training for staff often qualifies; approval is never guaranteed and budgets are capped.
SLIM subsidises learning and development activities in SMEs: getting training advice, building a learning culture, and third-party development programmes for staff. An AI-literacy programme — training your people to work with AI tools competently and safely, which the AI Act's Article 4 expects anyway — often fits within it.
What SLIM does not do: it does not pay for AI development work, software licences or consultant invoices for building systems. For development cost relief, look at WBSO instead — which funds your own R&D wage costs, not supplier invoices. Our AI subsidy guide covers the full landscape. Note the kmo-portefeuille (Flanders) no longer covers advice since February 2026.
The process is bureaucratic but doable. Realistic steps:
Rounds are regularly oversubscribed, percentages and conditions shift per year, and settlement happens after the fact. The sober approach: decide whether the training is worth it without subsidy, then treat an awarded SLIM grant as a discount, not as the business case. Our AI-literacy programme (€12,500 fixed) is scoped so the plan, cost breakdown and administration line up with what a SLIM application asks for — and we run a free subsidy check to tell you honestly whether an application looks worthwhile in your situation.
Free subsidy check with every training intake. AI-literacy programme at a fixed €12,500.
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