NWO: open calls

Supports exploratory applied research on testable and existing AI applications (use cases) focused on labour-saving AI. Conducted through new practice-oriented research activities at universities of applied sciences.

Links questions from Defence units to practice-oriented research at universities of applied sciences. Supports exploratory practice-oriented research focused on Defence issues. Requires collaboration between Defence and applied research institutions.

Open to consortia addressing 'wicked problems' based on NWA-route themes and cluster questions, spanning the full knowledge chain (fundamental to practice-oriented research) with societal partners including citizens. Main applicant must have participated in both collaborative workshops for the relevant theme. Proposals assessed on problem definition, impact, consortium quality, and research quality.

Joint NWO–FAPESP call for bilateral Netherlands–São Paulo research on replacing fossil feedstocks with circular biomass-derived materials in the chemical industry. Consortia must include a Dutch research organisation, a São Paulo-based researcher, and at least one private company co-funder. NWO/FAPESP finance max 70% of total budget; 30% must come from mandatory in-cash/in-kind co-funding. Multi-disciplinary scope: chemical engineering, economics, sustainability, social and legal perspectives.

For researchers who obtained their PhD within 8 years before 1 October 2026, aiming to establish or expand a research group. Application must be in English and requires a signed embedding guarantee from the Dutch host institution supporting the research.

Full, associate and assistant professors, other researchers with a doctorate, postdocs and PhD candidates with an appointment for the duration of the meeting can apply for support for scientific meetings and consultations.

Open to researchers at Dutch universities, university medical centers, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Nijmegen), NCB Naturalis, ARCNL, and Princess Máxima Center. Funds feasibility studies for commercial application of innovative knowledge. Submitted via ISAAC. All scientific fields eligible.

Supports free and independent technology research with societal/scientific impact; no disciplinary boundaries. Applicants must hold a tenured or tenure-track position at a Dutch university, UMC, KNAW/NWO institute, or select other Dutch research organisations. Not intended for proposals predominantly focused on investments, contract research, or clinical trials. Proposals submitted in Dutch or English.

Access to computing time on Snellius, LUMI (Dutch allocation), Grid/Spider, and HPC Cloud (SURF Research Cloud). Applicants must hold a tenured or tenure-track position at eligible Dutch research organisations (universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, and listed institutes). Temporary contracts allowed only for small requests. Proposals must be written in English. No industry-partnership requirement.

Provides computing time and data services on Dutch national computer facilities (Snellius, Data Processing Grid/Spider, HPC Cloud via SURF Research Cloud, and LUMI) for technical-scientific research. Open to researchers with tenured or tenure-track positions at eligible Dutch research organisations; applications must be written in English and submitted via the Isaac system.

Top-up call exclusively for project leads of current or completed projects funded under three prior KIC Mission calls (2020, 2021, 2022). Funds connection, synthesis and knowledge utilisation activities that are distinct from already-planned project activities. Dutch knowledge institutions; proposals submitted via NWO's ISAAC system.

Top-up call open only to current or completed project leads from three prior KIC Mission calls (2020, 2021, 2022) seeking extra budget for connection, synthesis and knowledge utilisation. Requires a consortium of main applicant, co-applicants and a partnering organisation; funding activities must be new, not already planned in the original project.

Dutch co-applicants in bilateral Weave proposals submitted to DFG, FNR, or FWO under the Open Competition ENW-M framework. Eligible applicants must hold a tenured or tenure-track position at an eligible Dutch institution. Max one Dutch applicant per proposal; funds one PhD or postdoc position plus other budget modules. Proposal must fall within the Science domain. Must be in top 20% at lead agency to receive NWO funding.

Interdisciplinary, knowledge-chain-wide consortia must include at least one healthcare-sector partner. Research targets participation in education and (un)paid work for people with brain/mental disorders, including those with lower SEP or migration background. Dutch knowledge institutions and societal stakeholders must jointly formulate research questions. Phase III overarching proposal remains open; phase II is closed.

Single main applicant, no co-applicants. Budget must fund a single temporary scientific position combined with other available budget modules. Dutch knowledge institutions only.

Transnational call under the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (Horizon Europe). NWO funds applicants based in the Netherlands. Priority areas: blue economy sector transition, digital/ecosystem-based sea-use management, sustainable blue bioresources, and coastal community resilience. Full call details to be published mid-September 2026 on the SBEP website and NWO portal.

Provides access to computing time and data services on Dutch national HPC systems (Snellius, Grid/Spider, HPC Cloud via SURF Research Cloud) and the pre-exascale supercomputer LUMI. Applicants must hold a tenured or tenure-track position at eligible Dutch research organisations (universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, and listed institutes). Proposals must be written in English. Small requests can be submitted directly to SURF.

For senior researchers who have successfully developed an innovative line of research; enables setting up a research group, across Science, SSH, AES and ZonMw domains.

Weave bilateral/multilateral call; Dutch researcher acts as main applicant with NWO as lead agency. Partners from Germany (DFG), Luxembourg (FNR), or Flanders (FWO). NWO budget funds one temporary scientific position. Separate parallel applications required from partner-country agencies.

Joint NWO–CNPq call for a bilateral Dutch–Brazilian consortium studying agriculture-biodiversity balance in the Cerrado; assessed on problem definition, impact, consortium quality and research quality. Applications submitted via NWO's ISAAC system; Brazilian project leaders contracted through CNPq's Plataforma Carlos Chagas.