# Dutch-German Basic Research Projects – NWO-DFG Lead Agency Procedure (NWO as Lead Agency)

**Funder:** NWO
**Duration:** Up to 36 months
**Consortium:** Required — Dutch-German research team; at least one PI at a Dutch institution (NWO side) and at least one PI at a German institution (DFG side)
**Application:** Single stage: coordinating applicant submits to NWO; German co-applicant submits copy to DFG via elan within 7 days
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2026-08
**Eligible countries:** NL, DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions/nl-nwo
**Last verified:** 24 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Joint Dutch-German basic research under NWO 'Open Competition Domain Science – M'. Current 2025–2026 round is closed; next round opens August 2026. Covers Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics. Dutch PI leads submission to NWO; German PI submits copy to DFG within 7 days. Max 36 months. Both sides must meet their respective national eligibility rules.

## Summary

The NWO-DFG Lead Agency Procedure funds joint Dutch-German basic research projects of up to 36 months under the NWO 'Open Competition Domain Science, M'. Applicants must form a consortium with at least one principal investigator at a Dutch institution and one at a German institution, with the Dutch PI leading the submission. The call covers fundamental research across Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics.

## Who should apply

- Established researchers with principal-investigator status at Dutch and German institutions
- Research teams proposing fundamental science projects in Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, or Physics
- Applicants meeting both NWO and DFG national eligibility criteria for their respective institutions

## Key dates

- Next call opens August 2026 after the 2025-2026 round closed at application cap
- Single-stage application: Dutch PI submits to NWO, German co-applicant submits copy to DFG within 7 days
- Project duration up to 36 months

## Tips for applicants

- Coordinate timing tightly: the German PI must submit to DFG within 7 days of the Dutch PI's NWO submission; any delay risks missing the DFG window.
- Ensure both PIs meet their respective national funder's eligibility criteria before drafting; misalignment on seniority or institution type can block an otherwise strong proposal.
- Lead with the Dutch PI in the submission sequence; NWO processes first and the DFG submission is copy-and-confirm, so clarity in the NWO narrative drives both sides.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who should submit the application for a Dutch-German project?

The Dutch principal investigator submits to NWO as the coordinating applicant; the German co-applicant must submit an identical copy to DFG via elan within 7 days.

### How long can a Dutch-German basic research project run?

Up to 36 months.

### What research fields are eligible?

Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics under NWO's Open Competition Domain Science, M.

### When does the next Dutch-German call open?

The current 2025-2026 round is closed at application cap; submissions open again August 2026 for the 2026-2027 round.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nwo-dutch-german-basic-research-projects-nwo-dfg-lead--2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.