NWO

Open Technology Programme 2026

Up to €950k (up to €1,050k for investment-heavy projects)| Deadline: 11 December 2026 (135 days)|Up to 6 years

Continuous submission from 12 January 2026 until 11 December 2026, subject to grant ceiling or maximum number of applications not yet reached. Early closure announced 23-06-2026 — check current status.

Last verified: 28 June 2026

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The NWO Open Technology Programme funds research and technology development projects up to €950,000 (or up to €1,050,000 for investment-heavy proposals) over six years at Dutch research institutions. The call is open to tenured and tenure-track researchers at universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, and specialist research centres, and requires a user committee of at least four knowledge-sector participants to ensure research applicability. Applications are assessed in rolling batches by international referees and a multidisciplinary jury, with continuous submission from January to December 2026.

Details

Funder	NWO
Budget	Up to €950k (up to €1,050k for investment-heavy projects)
Deadline	11 December 2026
Duration	Up to 6 years
Consortium	No
Application	Single stage: applications assessed in batches of 18 by international referees and multidisciplinary jury
Frequency	Annual
Eligible countries	NL

Eligibility & scope

Open to researchers with a tenured or tenure-track position at Dutch universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center. Co-funding required (min. 25%) if total project costs exceed €700k. Not intended for clinical trials, contract research, or investment-dominated proposals. User committee of ≥4 knowledge users required.

Who Should Apply

•Tenured or tenure-track researchers at Dutch universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center
•Research teams with a mandatory user committee of at least four knowledge-sector representatives
•Projects with clear applicability and knowledge-transfer goals beyond academia
•Consortia or multi-team projects (note: co-funding of minimum 25% required if total project costs exceed €700,000)

Key Dates

•Continuous submission from 12 January 2026 to 11 December 2026; batches of 18 applications assessed on a rolling basis
•Single-stage evaluation by international referees and independent multidisciplinary jury; final award by NWO Domain Applied and Engineering Sciences Board
•Project duration up to six years

Tips for Applicants

✓The user committee is not optional: NWO scrutinises the knowledge-user engagement closely. Name specific organisations and roles early in the proposal to demonstrate genuine sector buy-in.
✓Budget strategically around the €700k co-funding threshold; if your total project cost stays at or below €700k, you avoid the 25% co-funding requirement and simplify administration.
✓Submit early in the window if possible. Batches are assessed in order of receipt, and later batches are only evaluated if the grant ceiling and application quota have not been reached; first submissions have a timing advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the NWO Open Technology Programme fund?

Up to €950,000 for standard projects, or up to €1,050,000 for investment-heavy proposals, over up to six years.

Who can apply for the NWO Open Technology Programme?

Tenured or tenure-track researchers at Dutch universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Max Planck Institute Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center.

Do I need co-funding for the NWO Open Technology Programme?

Co-funding of at least 25% is required only if total project costs exceed €700,000.

Is a user committee mandatory for the Open Technology Programme?

Yes, you must establish a user committee of at least four knowledge-sector representatives to ensure the research has real applicability outside academia.

When is the deadline for the NWO Open Technology Programme?

Applications are accepted continuously from 12 January 2026 to 11 December 2026, in rolling batches; assessed in order of receipt subject to grant ceiling and application quota.

nwotechnology-developmentapplied-researchnetherlandstenured-researcherknowledge-transferrolling-submission

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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.