NWO
NWA Slavery pasts: (understudied forms of) impacts and perspectives
Full proposal deadline was 29 January 2026, 14:00 CET; call updated 06-05-2026 with increased grant ceiling — check for revised deadline
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The NWA Slavery Pasts call funds research into the economic, social, cultural, and administrative impacts of Dutch slavery history within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with budgets up to €3.3 million over five years. It is a one-off, consortium-driven initiative requiring a lead applicant, co-applicant, and civil society partner, all permanently employed or tenure-track at NWO-listed institutions. The call uses a Sandpit process to form consortia; only participants invited from the Sandpit stage may proceed to full proposal submission.
Details
| Funder | NWO |
| Budget | Up to €3,286,541 |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Consortium | Required — lead applicant, at least one co-applicant, and at least one cooperation partner (civil society stakeholder); permanently employed or tenure-track researchers at listed NWO research organisations only as main applicant |
| Application | 2-stage: Expression of Interest (Sandpit selection) → full proposal |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | NL |
Eligibility & scope
Research into economic, social, cultural, and administrative impacts of Dutch slavery history within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Main applicant must be permanently employed or on tenure track at an NWO-listed research organisation. Consortium mandatory: lead applicant + co-applicant + civil society cooperation partner. Sandpit process used for consortium formation; only Sandpit-invited participants may submit full proposals.
Who Should Apply
- •Permanently employed or tenure-track researchers at NWO-listed institutions
- •Research teams with disciplinary coverage of economic, social, cultural, or administrative dimensions of slavery history
- •Applicants willing to engage in consortium formation during the Sandpit stage
- •Teams with partnerships linking university researchers to civil society and heritage stakeholders
- •Researchers based in the Netherlands investigating impacts within the Kingdom
Key Dates
- •Expression of Interest (Sandpit stage) deadline 29 January 2026, 14:00 CET; note call was updated 6 May 2026 with increased grant ceiling, confirm revised deadline with NWO
- •Two-stage process: Sandpit selection, then invited full proposal submission
- •Up to five-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Consortium formation is gated by Sandpit selection; attend the Sandpit workshop if invited to build relationships with co-applicants and civil society partners before full proposal writing.
- ✓The civil society partner is not optional, NWO expects genuine co-design and impact beyond academia; clarify roles and deliverables in the full proposal.
- ✓This is a one-off call; the increased grant ceiling announced in May 2026 signals NWO's ambition, scope your full proposal accordingly and do not under-request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I request for the NWA Slavery Pasts call?
Up to €3,286,541 per consortium over five years. The grant ceiling was increased in May 2026.
Do I need partners to apply for NWA Slavery Pasts?
Yes, consortia are mandatory: you must have a co-applicant and at least one civil society cooperation partner. Only teams invited through the Sandpit stage may submit full proposals.
Who can be the lead applicant for NWA Slavery Pasts?
Permanently employed or tenure-track researchers at an NWO-listed research organisation in the Netherlands.
What topics does NWA Slavery Pasts cover?
Research into economic, social, cultural, and administrative impacts of Dutch slavery history within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Is NWA Slavery Pasts a recurring call?
No, it is a one-off call; NWO does not plan to reopen it after this round.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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