This round closed on 24 March 2026. The details below are from that round.
ZonMw
ZonMw Off Road 2026
Deadline March 24, 2026 at 14:00. Part of ZonMw Open Competition programme.
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Catalog updated: .
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The ZonMw Off Road 2026 call funds curiosity-driven fundamental research projects outside mainstream research areas, with €200,000–€350,000 over three years. Open to researchers in the Netherlands, this call supports early-stage exploration of novel hypotheses with potential for breakthrough discoveries. Part of ZonMw's Open Competition portfolio, it runs annually.
Details
| Funder | ZonMw |
| Budget | Curiosity-driven fundamental research 'off the beaten track' |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | full-proposal |
| TRL | 1-2 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Next round | 2027-01 |
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers based at Dutch academic, hospital, or research institutions
- •Early-career and established investigators pursuing novel, unconventional research directions
- •Projects addressing underexplored scientific questions with high-risk, high-reward potential
- •Fundamental science projects not aligned with current ZonMw strategic priorities
Key Dates
- •Deadline 24 March 2026 at 14:00 (CET)
- •Single full-proposal stage
- •Three-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Frame your research as fundamentally innovative, not incremental — ZonMw Off Road explicitly values curiosity over strategic alignment.
- ✓Articulate the scientific rationale for why your hypothesis is underexplored and why it matters; reviewers expect novelty-driven justification.
- ✓Keep timeline and risk realistic; the budget is modest, so prioritise feasibility and focus over ambition that overreaches the three-year window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget for ZonMw Off Road 2026?
Grants range from €200,000 to €350,000 over a three-year project period.
Who can apply for ZonMw Off Road 2026?
Researchers based at Dutch academic, hospital, or recognised research institutions. Both early-career and established investigators are eligible.
What type of research does ZonMw Off Road fund?
Curiosity-driven fundamental research exploring novel, unconventional questions outside mainstream or strategic research areas. High-risk, exploratory projects with breakthrough potential are favoured.
When is the deadline for ZonMw Off Road 2026?
The deadline is 24 March 2026 at 14:00 CET.
Is ZonMw Off Road a recurring call?
Yes, ZonMw runs Off Road annually; the next round is expected in early 2027.
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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