NWO
Dutch-German Basic Research Projects – NWO-DFG Lead Agency Procedure (NWO as Lead Agency)
Current 2025–2026 NWO-lead round is closed (application cap reached). New call expected on NWO website June/July 2026; submissions open again from August 2026 for the 2026–2027 round.
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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.
Details
| 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 | NLDE |
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.
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.
Related on Grantsby
- NWO writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
- How to Write a Winning NWO Veni Proposal
Domain choice, the scored knowledge utilisation paragraph, the preproposal, and the interview.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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