NWO

SSH Open Competition XS 2026 Round 3

Up to €50,000| Deadline: 15 September 2026 (48 days)|6-24 months

Before 14:00:00 CEST

Last verified: 18 June 2026

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This is the current call of the NWO XS programme. The programme guide covers eligibility, budget, success rate and FAQ across every round.

SSH Open Competition XS is NWO's entry-level funding mechanism for social sciences and humanities researchers across the Netherlands, offering up to €50,000 for exploratory projects lasting 6-24 months. The single-stage call welcomes researchers at any career stage with novel, feasible research ideas that don't fit larger funding schemes. It runs annually in multiple rounds, making it an accessible pathway to establish a publication record or pilot a new direction.

Details

Funder	NWO
Budget	Up to €50,000
Deadline	15 September 2026
Duration	6-24 months
Consortium	No
Application	Single stage
Frequency	Annual

Who Should Apply

•Researchers across all career stages at Dutch institutions
•Social sciences and humanities scholars with novel, feasible ideas
•Projects too small or exploratory for larger NWO schemes
•Researchers building a publication record or piloting a new research direction

Key Dates

•Deadline 15 September 2026, 14:00 CEST
•Single-stage evaluation
•6-24 month project duration

Tips for Applicants

✓Feasibility counts heavily for XS grants; scope your idea tightly so it is clearly achievable within 6-24 months and the modest budget.
✓Position this as an exploratory or pilot phase, not a cut-down version of a larger proposal, reviewers assess fit-to-scheme actively.
✓This call runs multiple times per year; if rejected, identify feedback and resubmit in the next round rather than waiting a full year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the SSH Open Competition XS grant?

Up to €50,000 per project.

How long can an SSH Open Competition XS project last?

Between 6 and 24 months.

Who can apply for SSH Open Competition XS?

Researchers at any career stage based at a Dutch institution, working in social sciences or humanities.

Is SSH Open Competition XS single-stage?

Yes, applications are evaluated in a single stage.

How often does the SSH Open Competition XS call open?

The call runs annually with multiple rounds; exact dates are published on the NWO website.

nwossh-open-competitionsocial-scienceshumanitiesearly-careernetherlandsexploratory-researchsmall-grants

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