Dutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Veni
Up to €320,000 over 4 years for researchers in the Netherlands within 3 years of PhD completion.
About the NWO Veni
NWO Veni is the first step in the Dutch "Talent Programme" (Veni → Vidi → Vici), funding early-career researchers at Dutch knowledge institutions. The grant provides up to €320,000 over 4 years, covering salary, a bench fee, and research costs. Eligibility is strict: you must have obtained your PhD within the last 3 years at the call deadline (extensions available for career interruptions such as parental leave or illness). NWO Veni is widely regarded as the gold standard for establishing independent research in the Netherlands, with success rates averaging around 16% across the NWO domains (ENW, ZonMw, SSH). Unlike ERC grants, the Veni explicitly requires a "knowledge utilisation" paragraph demonstrating the societal relevance of your research — this is a mandatory component and is actively evaluated.
Key facts
- Career stage
- 0–3 years post-PhD
- Maximum budget
- €320,000
- Duration
- 4 years
- Domains
- ENW, ZonMw, SSH
- Language
- English (interview may include Dutch)
- Success rate
- ~16% average across domains
Who is eligible?
- •PhD obtained within the last 3 years at the call deadline
- •Extensions available for career interruptions (parental leave, illness, military service, clinical training)
- •Affiliation with a Dutch knowledge institution for the duration of the project
- •Open to researchers of any nationality
Frequently asked questions
+When is the NWO Veni deadline?
NWO Veni has separate calls per domain (ENW, ZonMw, SSH) with deadlines typically spread through the year. Check our live deadlines table or nwo.nl/calls for the current cycle.
+Can I apply for a Veni if I've moved institutions?
Yes. You can apply for a Veni at any Dutch knowledge institution as long as you will be affiliated there for the grant period. Many applicants use the Veni to move institutions or establish a new group.
+How important is the knowledge utilisation section?
Very. It is mandatory and is explicitly scored. It does not need to be commercial — public engagement, policy impact, or clinical translation all count. Weak or generic knowledge utilisation sections are a common failure mode.
+Do I need to be fluent in Dutch?
No. The proposal is submitted in English. However, Vidi and Vici interviews may involve Dutch-speaking panellists, and domain-specific calls may have Dutch-language requirements. The Veni itself is English-language.
+Can I hold a Veni and an ERC Starting Grant simultaneously?
Yes, though the overlap is rare in practice because of timing. Both grants can be held at the same Dutch institution but you must justify the non-overlap of research content.
Looking for proposal-writing advice?
Read the Dutch Research Council (NWO) writing guide →Related programmes
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