Programmes and Projects

Subsidies for research within programmatic or thematic restrictions specified by NWO. In practice, researchers can apply for FTEs on a project basis (PhD students, research trainee assistants, postdocs) and supplementary budget for material costs.

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Programmes and Projects
Added Value
Added Value, a joint initiative between the Divisions for the Earth and Life Sciences (ALW), Humanities (GW) and Social Sciences (MaGW), has been set up with the aim of supporting researchers who wish to make their research results from current or recently concluded projects (more) suitable and available for third parties.
AHRC - NWO Humanities Research Networking and Exchange Scheme
This joint AHRC-NWO Humanities scheme supports bi-national teams to run a network of researchers or joint exchange programme over two years aiming at developing international partnerships between arts and humanities researchers in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Biobased Sustainable Industrial Chemicals (B-BASIC)
B-BASIC (Bio-based Sustainable Industrial Chemistry) focuses on developing bio-based sustainable process concepts for the chemical industry, using renewable resources.
Booster Grants for Public-Private Partnerships in the Life Sciences
Booster grants are aimed at stimulating the formation of public-private consortiums in the life sciences.
Brain & Cognition - Societal Innovation in Health Care, Education and Social Safety
The programme Brain & Cognition aims at scientific progress and societal implementation of recent scientific insights with respect to the functioning of our brain, cognitive abilities and behaviour. This knowledge is applied to urgent societal questions in health care, education and social safety.
Brain & Cognition: an Integrated Approach continuous application
This programme strives for better insight in cognitive functions from the molecular level all the way up to the interactions between individuals, and aims to promote brain and cognition research using an integrative approach.
Centres for Systems Biology Research (CSBR)
Een kenmerk van systeembiologie vormt de afwisseling van 'nat' en 'droog' onderzoek dat op verschillende complexiteitsschalen geïntegreerd plaats vindt. CSBR zet onderzoekscentra op om de Nederlandse onderzoekinfrastructuur permanent te versterken.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
ChemThem
A ChemThem initiative contains a chemical/molecular sciences problem, which is tackled via challenging, innovative research methods.
Complexity
The research programme Complexity is a joint initiative of the NWO Divisions for the Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth and Life Sciences and Social Sciences, and of Technology Foundation STW and the ICTRegie, with the general support of NWO's Governing Board. The programme falls under the NWO theme Dynamics of Complex Systems and shall realise the challenges formulated in the theme document.
Comprehensible Language and Effective Communication
The Comprehensible language and effective communication programme focuses on i) fundamental research to increase our understanding of which factors facilitate the comprehensibility of communication and ii) applied research to translate these insights into well-grounded advisory reports in the area of language and communication. The programme is interesting for linguists, educational researcher, public administrators, psychologists, communication researchers and health researchers.
Computational Life Sciences
Computational Life Sciences focuses on complex problems in the life sciences that allow model formation, simulation and visualisation.
Conflict and Cooperation over Natural Resources in Developing Countries (CoCooN) - Integrated Projects
The CoCooN programme aims to contribute to sustainable development, poverty reduction and the realisation of the MDGs by adding to evidence-based policy development, interventions and practices in the field of conflict and cooperation on natural resources, and by contributing to adequately manage, resolve and learn from conflicts.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Conflict and Security - Fast Track
More diversified societies are the result of globalization, international migration and mobility. This leads to the spreading and intensification of conflicts related to cultural, ethnic, religious, class and gender differences. Research within the scope of the strategic theme of Conflict and Security is aimed at addressing these urgent societal issues.
Contested Democracy
The research programme Disputed Democracy concerns the functioning and vulnerability of democracy. The title of the programme Disputed Democracy indicates that democracy is never a specific entity. The programme considers democracy as a model and a practice that is continually in a process of redefining, repositioning, reevaluation, relegitimisation and adaptation.
Continuous Access to Cultural Heritage (CATCH)
The CATCH (Continuous Access To Cultural Heritage) programme focuses on information research that serves the cultural heritage sector. The programme funds research teams who carry out their work at a cultural heritage organisation.
Cooperation China - Joint Scientific Thematic Research Programme (JSTP) open for application
JSTP aims at stimulating sustainable research collaboration between China and the Netherlands by funding joint research projects and thematic dialogue seminars. The 2009 call for proposals addresses the research topic ‘Integrated Water Management in relation with climate change and sea level rise’.
Cooperation Hong Kong - Joint Research Scheme (JRS) open for application
The joint research scheme stimulates scientific cooperation between Hong Kong and Dutch researchers working in the fields of Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer science, by providing individual travel grants and workshop grants.
Cooperation India - New Medical Devices for Affordable Health
Aim is to stimulate sustainable Indo-Dutch research collaboration by funding joint research projects on the topic medical devices that have the explicit goal to reduce the costs of health care either in India or in the Netherlands.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Cooperation Indonesia - Agriculture Beyond Food
The programme Agriculture beyond Food (AbF) aims to enhance and support long-term scientific cooperation between research groups from Indonesia and the Netherlands on innovative use of bio-based resources.
Cooperation United States - International Collaboration in Chemistry (ICC)
ICC grants offer the opportunity to carry ou high-quality, curiosity-driven research in molecular chemistry, chemistry or chemical technology in an international setting.
Cultural Dynamics
In this programme, culture is defined in the broadest sense of the word to cover both material and non-material aspects. Examples are architecture, expressive arts, theatre, music, new cultural expressions that have been made possible by the new media and technology, but also the customs and rituals that are culturally determined.
Dynamics of Patterns
Researchers from various scientific disciplines focused of studying and analysing intrinsically non-linear patterns in space and time are brought together in an interdisciplinary setting.
Dynamics of the Memory - The Netherlands in the Second World War
The programme addresses the question as to how the memory of the Second World War has developed and shall possibly develop and which position material and immaterial remains should have within this.
East Kalimantan
Aims to enhance and support long-term scientific cooperation in coastal zone research between research groups from Indonesia and the Netherlands. The geographical focus is on the coastal areas of the Mahakam delta and the Berau region.
ECHO Project Grants
Free Competition of the NWO Division for Chemical Sciences (CW)
ECHO-project grants offer the opportunity to carry out a high quality science driven chemical research project. In this way a challenging scientific idea can be pursued, a new research area can be opened up or a scientific innovation can be established.
Ecogenomics
The aim of this call is to facilitate innovative and high quality scientific research in the area of Ecogenomics.
Energy Transitions
Het programma richt zich op multidisciplinair onderzoek over de transitie naar een duurzame energievoorziening in Nederland.
ERA-NET
ERA-NET (European Research Area Networks) is the policy instrument of the European Commission (EC) for coordinating the national research programmes in Europe. In an ERA-NET there is cooperation and coordination among European research funding agencies.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
EUROCORES
EUROCORES stands for ‘European Science Foundation Collaborative Research Programmes Scheme.´ A EUROCORE is a grant scheme of the European Science Foundation (ESF). The ESF uses this instrument to promote multinational cooperation in Europa.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
European Social Survey (ESS) - Developmental Projects
The European Social Survey [ESS] is an international database ;which has become a prime instrument for innovative comparative research on social and political attitudes. The data are gathered in 34 European countries through surveys held once every two years.
Explorail
ExploRail is the Research Program of ProRail and MaGW for the next 2-4 years. The research theme of this call within this program is: Whole System Performance. This theme forms a comprehensive and focused program for railway research aiming at breakthrough innovations for ProRail’s strategic goals.
Feedbacks in the Climate System
The aim of the programme is to generate knowledge focused on quantifying uncertainties in the climate system, and in particular for the development of this system in the longer term until the year 2200.
Flemish-Dutch Cooperation in the Humanities
The Flemish-Dutch Committee for Dutch Language and Culture (VNC) subsidises scientific cooperation between Flanders and the Netherlands for the promotion of Dutch language and culture.
Forensic Science
Strengthening research in the area of forensic science in the Netherlands and creating foci of in-depth knowledge and forming a community of researchers and users in the field of forensic sciences.
Free Competition continuous application
Free Competition of the NWO Division in the Humanities (GW)
This grant instrument is aimed at research programmes with a substantial humanities component.
Free Competition open for application
Free Competition of the NWO Division for Physical Sciences (EW)
This programme offers financial support to research proposals without programmatic preconditions in the physical sciences upto 110.000 euro.
GlobAL Computer ScieNCE (GLANCE)
The GLANCE programme is designed to stimulate fundamental research into large-scale parallel and distributed systems.
Green Genetics
TTI (Technology Top Institute) Green Genetics is an initiative from companies in the plant cultivation industry and knowledge institutions to strengthen the knowledge infrastructure in the disciplines of plant genetics, plant physiology and plant pathology by means of joint research projects and educational initiatives.
Horizon
The Horizon programme aims to promote high-quality and visionary fundamental research in the field of genomics or biomolecular informatics.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Horizon (formerly H Programmes) open for application
Horizon (formerly H Programmes) focuses on scientific innovation in humanities disciplines. These are research programmes that have the potential to determine the research agendas for future humanities research.
I-science for Astronomy (IsFast)
The IsFast collaboration track is an activity within the i-science research cluster. Innovative research at the interface of computer science and astronomy is in the core of this programme. Astronomy offers big challenges to computer science, which require fundamentally new methods or even abstractions.
ICT Innovation Platform - Cooperation Challenge
To support the ICT Innovation Platforms (IIPs) and to stimulate the formation of a community of researchers and users that operates at the boundaries of the IPPs, ICTRegie is launching a call: the IIP Cooperation Challenge.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Integrated Programmes
Free Competition of WOTRO Science for Global Development
The Integrated Programme scheme is aimed at supporting excellent problem-oriented interdisciplinary research to the benefit of development and societal issues in the South. An IP may address developmental and societal issues: in a broad sense that may lead to new insights, theories and/or breakthroughs in current knowledge and understanding or fitting within one or more of four themes of WOTRO’s framework: (A) Poverty and Hunger; (B) Sustainable Environment (C) Global Relationships.
Internationalisation in the Humanities open for application
The Humanities Division Board intends to use this grant instrument to promote international cooperation between Dutch research groups and their foreign colleagues, to stimulate the formation of international networks in the humanities and to encourage the submission of humanities grant applications at international institutions.
Joint Academic and Commercial Quality Research & Development (JACQUARD)
The Jacquard research programme is initially a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, NWO Physical Sciences and Technology Foundation STW, and is supported by the Governing Board of NWO. Jacquard represents an implementation of the policy formulated in the National Research Agenda for Information and Communication Technology 2005-2010 (NOAG-ict), the ICT Agenda for the Future of the Netherlands (ICT2030.nl) and the Strategic Research Agenda of the Software as a Service Innovation Platform.
Joint MFS II evaluations open for application
The overall purpose of the joint MFS II evaluations is to account for results of MFS II-funded or cofunded development interventions implemented by Dutch CFAs and/or their Southern partners and to contribute to the improvement of future development interventions.
Joint Taiwan Netherlands Program on Catalysis
This programme with the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC) has the purpose to stimulate excellent scientific research on catalysis by fostering collaborations between research-groups who can mutually profit from each other’s expertise.
Language Acquisition & Multilingualism
The programme Language Acquisition and Multilingualism is of topical interest both from a social and a scientific perspective. It has social relevance given the prominent role of language acquisition and multilingualism in modern society. From a scientific perspective it is most important that this programme allows new questions to be posed regarding the explanation, representation and acquisition of lingual knowledge and the way these are influenced by contextual factors.
Mathematical Clusters
Dutch universities are invited to form clusters for excellent mathematics research.
Migration, Development and Conflict open for application
The research is expected to focus on transnational flows and their consequences by comparing the multifaceted interactions of the positive and negative dimensions of transnational migration in the Netherlands, India and South Africa.
NACCAP (EDCTP) - Co-funding
NACCAP is a development orientated support and research programme, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NACCAP is a Dutch National Programme contributing to the goal and objectives of the European Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP). NACCAP´s activities include open calls, commissioned projects, support activities and co-funding.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
National Programme Sea and Coastal Research
The ZKO focuses on strengthening the understanding and knowledge of coastal development, the role of cycles and particle flows in relation to water quality, capacity for a sustainable yield of the ecosystem, change in the biodiversity, the role of the sea and ocean in climate change and the effects of climate change on the marine system.
Netherlands Polar Programme (NPP)
The objective of the Netherlands Polar Programme is to stimulate high-quality scientific research on and into the polar areas. Yet participation in research on Antarctica should also support the Netherlands’ voting membership of the Antarctic Treaty. In addition to this, the NPP strengthens the national coherency of Dutch Arctic research in the international context.
NWO-nano
The NWO-nano programme aims to promote excellent fundamental and application-oriented nanoscience and nanotechnology research into 4 specific themes: NanoMedicine, NanoInsights, Nanomaterials & Engineering (incl. design & manufacture) and Effect analysis
Open Programme continuous application
Free Competition of the NWO Division for the Earth and Life Sciences (ALW)
The Open Program of the Division for Earth and Life Sciences offers financial support across the full range of Dutch research in the earth and life sciences.
Open Research Area in Europe for the Social Sciences
In order to strengthen European co-operation in the field of the social sciences, ANR, DFG, ESRC and NWO have launched a common call for proposals to fund the best joint research projects in the social sciences.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
PhD Research in the Arts open for application
The Fonds BKVB and NWO want to give artists the opportunity to gain a doctorate. The Call is intended for visual artists who focus on new forms of research - especially research that is based on and targeted at artistic practice and that makes a connection with existing types of academic research.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
PhDs in the Humanities open for application
The aim of the new PhD programme is to attract young research talent in the humanities. The structure enhancement plans of universities/faculties for education and organisation form the necessary framework for this. Two types of PhD position can be applied for, namely standard PhD positions and PhD positions for lecturers.
Planetary Boundaries Fresh Water Cycle
The aim of the programme is to generate knowledge in the area of Planetary Boundaries Freshwater Cycle. Applicants are requested to pay particular attention to how the research contributes to determining worldwide boundaries for freshwater use.
Population, Reproductive Health and Economic Development open for application
The research programme PopDev focuses on strengthening the evidence-base for policy and practice and identifying ways forward in research on how population and reproductive health impact poverty and economic growth.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Principal Investigator Preparatory Programme (PIPP)
NWO Physical Sciences (EW) is cooperating with the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) in the Principal Investigator Preparatory Programme (PIPP). The programme focuses on preparing future Dutch principal investigator (PI) roles in scientific space missions.
Process on a Chip (POAC)
The basic idea of Process on a Chip (PoaC) is that the full production process of high-grade compounds can be executed on one chip, including the operational logic and measurement facilities. In order to realise that, an integrated circuit must be made (in silicon or synthetic fibre) with microchannels, reaction nodes, steps for characterisation and reprocessing, allowing chemical reactions to be produced on a very small scale and with unprecedented precision.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Process on a Chip (POAC)
The basic idea of Process on a Chip (PoaC) is that the full production process of high-grade compounds can be executed on one chip, including the operational logic and measurement facilities. In order to realise that, an integrated circuit must be made (in silicon or synthetic fibre) with microchannels, reaction nodes, steps for characterisation and reprocessing, allowing chemical reactions to be produced on a very small scale and with unprecedented precision.
Researchers from abroad may apply as well
Programme for Educational Research (PROO)
Subsidy programme for the advancement of medium-range, fundamental-strategic, application-oriented, internationally-comparative and evaluative research into primary, secondary and (pre)vocational education.
Programme for Educational Research (PROO) – Language in Primary Education – Research & Development
Subsidy programme for the advancement of medium-range, fundamental-strategic, application-oriented, internationally-comparative and evaluative research into primary, secondary and (pre)vocational education.
Programme for Educational Research (PROO) – Language in Primary Education – Scientific Research
Subsidy programme for the advancement of medium-range, fundamental-strategic, application-oriented, internationally-comparative and evaluative research into primary, secondary and (pre)vocational education.
Research Programme Biodiversity Works
Within the framework of the 'Policy Programme Biodiversity Works', which has been signed by various government ministries, policy subjects in the area of biodiversity shall be investigated in the Research Programme Biodiversity Works.
Research Talent
Research Talent is a subsidy programme with open competition for high-level PhD research for young talented individuals with a demonstrable ambition to pursue a career as scientist.
Responsible Innovation
The theme programme Responsible Innovation (MVI) concerns issues related to technological developments for which there is a good reason to suspect that these will have major positive and negative effects on individuals and/or society.
Revitalisation of Legal Research
This programme aims in three subsidy rounds to approach the following goals: strengthening the international and comparative side of legal research; reinforcing multidisciplinary approaches; cooperation and school formation.
Smart Energy Systems
Smart Energy Systems is a joint initiative of NWO Physical Sciences, STW Technology Foundation and the Netherlands ICT Research and Innovation Authority (ICTRegie), supported by NWO's Governing Board. It is part of the NWO Theme Basic Energy Research, and addresses the energy savings and sustainability improvements by employing smart ICT systems.
Social Cohesion
In this programme NWO cooperates with a number of government departments which seek attention for their questions about social cohesion in Dutch society. The research results enable them to gain perspectives that are relevant to government policy.
Social Science Cooperation India-Netherlands
The Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) and NWO have started a joint Scholar Exchange scheme aimed at staff with an academic or research appointment, up to senior professors.
Social Scientific Research into Nature and the Environment (GaMON)
The GaMON programme is aimed at describing, explaining and controlling social problems regarding landscape, living conditions, nature and the environment—insofar as these problems are connected to human activity and behaviour.
STAR E-Science (STARE)
The STARE programme aims to stimulate groundbreaking research at the interface of informatics and astronomy. The programme offers opportunities for research that has an added value for both disciplines.
Sustainable Hydrogen - Valorisation Grant
Over the next decades, mankind will have to switch from fossile to sustainable energy sources. All scenarios for sustainable energy require a universal and clean energy carrier. Hydrogen is the best option.
TASC Comprehensive Analytical Science and Technology (TA-COAST)
TA-COAST will develop innovative analytical technologies with which i) innovative R&D can be performed with substantially higher discriminating power (location, time and composition) and/or ii) cheap and robust analyses can be performed in the field, in the chemical process or to help the consumer/patient (point of care).
TASC Eco-efficient Use of Biomass for Bulk and Fine Chemicals Production (TA-Biomass) open for application
The TA-Biomass is aimed at the eco-efficient use of biomass for the production of fine and bulk chemicals by i) increasing the compatibility of chemocatalytic, biocatalytic and thermochemical processes for biomass conversion, ii) producing existing chemical intermediates from biomass in an eco-efficient way and iii) developing processes for the conversion of recalcitrant biomass fractions.
TASC Low Energy Routes to Bulk Chemicals (TA-Low Energy Routes)
The TA-Low Energy Routes aims at the improvement of chemical processes such as i) selective oxidation, ii) activation of nitrogen and iii) activation of alkanes / (steam) cracking and at the improvement of the (catalytic) conversions concerned.
TASC Syngas, a Switch to Flexible New Feedstock for the Chemical Industry (TA-Syngas)
The TA-Syngas is aimed at catalytic conversion of feedstock via syngas into relevant intermediates such as lower olefins and the corresponding lower alcohols for the chemical industry.
User Support Space Research
NWO Division for the Earth and Life Sciences (ALW) is cooperating with the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) in the programme User Support Space Research. The aim of this programme is to provide support to researchers working in the Netherlands during the (preparation for) use of scientific infrastructure in space for the purpose of high quality research.
Violence against Psychiatric Patients
Although there are signals that psychiatric patients become victims of violence, exploitation and intimidation, little research is being carried out in this area. This problem not only concerns criminal actions by strangers but also violence and abuse by neighbours, family members, fellow patients and professional practitioners. There is also a considerable diversity in offences: exploitation, extortion, theft, abuse and rape.
Visual Interactive Effective Worlds (VIEW)
The VIEW programme is designed to stimulate research in the field of visualisation and modelling and simulation to support this.
Youth and Family
The programme is aimed at research into the development of young people and how their social context (family, friends, school, clubs etc.) influences this development. The programme names four lines of research and three specific themes.