Dutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Open Competition
Curiosity-driven research funding across all disciplines, typically €300K–€800K for Dutch research teams.
About the NWO Open Competition
NWO Open Competition is a collection of domain-specific calls (ENW, ZonMw, SSH) that fund curiosity-driven research without pre-defined thematic priorities. Unlike Veni/Vidi/Vici, Open Competition is not a personal career grant — it funds a research project, potentially with multiple applicants from different Dutch institutions. Budgets and exact rules vary by domain (Exact and Natural Sciences, Medical Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities), but typically range from €300,000 to €800,000 over 3 to 5 years. The emphasis is on scientific excellence and originality. This scheme is favoured by researchers who want support for a specific research question rather than personal career funding, and by collaborations between groups at Dutch institutions.
Key facts
- Type
- Project grant, not career grant
- Domains
- ENW, ZonMw, SSH
- Duration
- 3–5 years
- Collaboration
- Single or multi-PI within NL
- Success rate
- ~15–20% typical
Who is eligible?
- •Affiliation with a Dutch knowledge institution (main applicant)
- •Any career stage
- •Can be single-PI or multi-institution collaboration within the Netherlands
- •Project must fit within the relevant domain (ENW, ZonMw, SSH)
Frequently asked questions
+How is Open Competition different from Veni/Vidi/Vici?
Talent grants (Veni/Vidi/Vici) fund individuals at specific career stages. Open Competition funds a research project and can involve multiple PIs across Dutch institutions. It is chosen when the research question matters more than career development.
+Which NWO domain should I apply to?
Pick the domain whose panel best matches your research: ENW (Exact & Natural Sciences) for physics/chemistry/math/engineering/life sciences; ZonMw for health and medical research; SSH (Social Sciences & Humanities) for sociology, economics, history, law, etc.
+Can international collaborators be included?
Yes, but they cannot receive NWO funds directly. The main applicant and any co-applicants receiving NWO funding must be at Dutch institutions. International partners contribute expertise without receiving budget.
+Do I need preliminary data?
Preliminary data is not mandatory but significantly strengthens applications. NWO panels reward feasibility — showing that you have pilot data, working methods, or proven infrastructure makes the proposal much more competitive.
Looking for proposal-writing advice?
Read the Dutch Research Council (NWO) writing guide →Related programmes
Dutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Veni
Up to €320,000 over 4 years for researchers in the Netherlands within 3 years of PhD completion.
Dutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Vidi
Up to €850,000 over 5 years for mid-career researchers in the Netherlands establishing an independent group.
Dutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO XS
€50,000 for exploratory proof-of-concept research at Dutch knowledge institutions. Pilot studies and early-stage ideas.
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