# NWO Talent Programme Vici - Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) 2026

**Funder:** NWO
**Budget:** Up to €1,500,000
**Duration:** 5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** NL
**Official call:** https://www.nwo.nl/en/calls/nwo-talentprogramma-vici-aes-2026
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For senior researchers. Individual grant for researchers at Dutch knowledge institutions to build their own innovative research group in Applied and Engineering Sciences.

## Summary

The NWO Talent Programme Vici offers up to €1,500,000 over five years for senior researchers to establish independent research groups in applied and engineering sciences at Dutch institutions. This is a flagship career-development grant for established investigators ready to launch a new research agenda with institutional independence. The call runs annually with autumn deadlines.

## Who should apply

- Senior researchers with an established track record in applied or engineering sciences
- Researchers based at Dutch academic, hospital, or research institutions
- Investigators ready to establish a genuinely independent research group and agenda
- Applicants with a clear vision for innovative research in AES

## Key dates

- Annual deadline (verify exact date on NWO website)
- Single-stage written evaluation plus interview
- Five-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- The independence criterion is strict: reviewers assess whether your proposed research is distinct from your current role and prior work.
- Institutional support is gating, secure written commitment from your host institution covering space, facilities, and PhD student allocation before submission.
- Vici panels value feasibility and team-building clarity; include a named recruitment plan for postdocs and PhD students, not just the science roadmap.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does NWO Vici provide?

Up to €1,500,000 over five years for a single research group.

### Who is eligible for NWO Vici?

Senior researchers at Dutch knowledge institutions with an established track record in applied and engineering sciences who can demonstrate research independence.

### Is NWO Vici open to non-Dutch citizens?

Yes, but applicants must be hosted at a Dutch institution and meet the seniority and independence criteria.

### Does NWO Vici require a consortium?

No, Vici is an individual grant for a single research group leader, not a collaborative programme.

### How competitive is NWO Vici?

Highly competitive; only a fraction of eligible applicants receive funding, and the interview stage is decisive.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nwo-talent-programme-vici-applied-and-engineering--2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.