# Open Competition

**Funder:** ZonMw
**Budget:** Up to €800k (+ optional investment module €100k–€250k, max total €1,050k)
**Deadline:** 15 September 2026 (Full proposal deadline; 14:00 CEST. Pre-proposal positive decision required to submit full proposal.)
**Duration:** 4–5 years
**Consortium:** Required — collaborative team science across multiple research groups
**Application:** 2-stage: pre-proposal (closed) → full proposal (15 Sep 2026) → rebuttal (Nov 2026) → interview (3 Feb 2027, physical attendance Utrecht) → decision (end Mar 2027)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** NL
**Official call:** https://www.zonmw.nl/en/subsidy/zonmw-open-competition-2026
**Last verified:** 5 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Curiosity-driven, groundbreaking team science in fundamental (bio)medical and health research; no thematic restriction. Open to Dutch knowledge institutions. Applicants must have received a positive pre-proposal decision. Optional investment module of €100k–€250k available on top of the base grant (max total €1,050k). Proposals must be submitted in English.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/zonmw-open-competition-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.