ZonMw
Rubicon
14:00 CEST
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NWO Rubicon funds recently graduated PhD researchers to gain research experience at a foreign institute for 12 to 24 months, covering salary, travel and limited research costs from a €3,145,000 annual round budget. It is open only to individual applicants who received their PhD within the 12 months before the deadline, or who are nearing completion with supervisor approval, and it does not fund teams or consortia.
Details
| Funder | ZonMw |
| Budget | €3,145,000 total round budget |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Duration | 12-24 months |
| Consortium | No - individual applicant, hosted by a research institute outside the Netherlands |
| Application | Single stage |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | NL |
Eligibility & scope
For researchers who obtained their PhD in the twelve months before the deadline (or near-completion with supervisor approval), to gain research experience at a foreign research institute. Applications must be individual (not team-based), written in English, and include a host institute acceptance form; covers salary, travel and limited research costs, excluding overhead.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers awarded a PhD within 12 months before the deadline, or nearing completion with supervisor approval
- •Individual applicants only, not research teams
- •Researchers seeking to work at a research institute outside the Netherlands
- •Applicants able to write and submit their proposal in English
Key Dates
- •Application deadline: 1 December 2026, 14:00 CEST
- •Single-stage application process
- •Fellowship duration: 12 to 24 months
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Secure a firm hosting commitment from the foreign institute before applying, since the fellowship is tied to a specific placement.
- ✓Budget carefully: Rubicon covers salary, travel and limited research costs but not institutional overhead, so scope the project accordingly.
- ✓Write the full application in English and be precise about your PhD completion date, since eligibility hinges on the 12-month pre-deadline window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the NWO Rubicon grant pay?
The total round budget is €3,145,000, covering salary, travel and limited research costs for individual fellowships; it does not cover institutional overhead.
Who is eligible for the NWO Rubicon grant?
Researchers awarded a PhD in the 12 months before the deadline, or nearing completion with supervisor approval, who want to work at a research institute outside the Netherlands.
How long does a Rubicon fellowship last?
Between 12 and 24 months.
Can I apply to Rubicon as part of a team?
No, Rubicon only funds single applicants, not teams or consortia.
Does Rubicon fund research inside the Netherlands?
Rubicon is designed for research at a foreign institute, though it occasionally allows placements within the Netherlands.
Related on Grantsby
- ZonMw writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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