# Lead Agency Procedure (DFG-NWO Joint Pilot)

**Funder:** DFG and NWO
**Deadline:** 30 July 2027 (Pilot period: 6 August 2024 until 30 July 2027)
**Consortium:** Required — bi/trilateral research projects
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** DE, NL
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Summary

The DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure funds bilateral or trilateral research collaborations between Germany and the Netherlands, with each country's funder supporting its own researchers. This joint pilot runs through 30 July 2027 on a continuous basis, allowing German and Dutch teams to submit a single application that is evaluated nationally while maintaining a coordinated review process. Researchers from both countries can propose projects without duplicating applications.

## Who should apply

- Researchers at DFG-eligible institutions in Germany and NWO-eligible institutions in the Netherlands
- Teams proposing bilateral or trilateral projects bridging both countries
- Groups whose research aligns with DFG and NWO disciplinary scope
- Applicants seeking to avoid parallel submissions and duplicate reviews

## Key dates

- Continuous submission until 30 July 2027 (end of pilot period)
- Pilot launched 6 August 2024
- Joint national review process per country's standard timelines

## Tips for applicants

- Submit once through the Lead Agency portal; DFG and NWO will coordinate review rather than requiring separate applications.
- Clarify institutional eligibility before submission, German teams must satisfy DFG host criteria and Dutch teams must satisfy NWO host criteria.
- Ensure both partner groups are writing in their national funder's language and format conventions, even though the project is jointly evaluated.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure?

It is a joint pilot allowing German and Dutch researchers to submit a single application for bilateral or trilateral projects, with each country's funder reviewing and supporting its own team. The procedure runs continuously until 30 July 2027.

### Do I submit one application or two for a German-Dutch collaboration?

You submit one application through the Lead Agency portal. DFG and NWO coordinate the review internally so you avoid duplicate submissions and separate evaluations.

### Can trilateral projects apply?

Yes, the procedure supports bilateral and trilateral research projects, though the joint review covers German and Dutch partners under this pilot.

### When does the DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure end?

The pilot runs through 30 July 2027, after which the programme may be renewed or modified based on pilot results.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/dfg-and-nwo-lead-agency-procedure-dfg-nwo-joint-pilot-2027-07) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).