NWO-nano

The NWO-nano programme aims to promote excellent fundamental and application-oriented nanoscience and nanotechnology research in the Netherlands, thereby strengthening the Netherlands' international competitiveness in this field. The NWO-nano programme is based on the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) Nanotechnology (2008). The SRA was drawn up at the request of the Dutch Cabinet by STW, FOM and NanoNed in association with ALW, CW and ZonMw.

The ambition for nanoscience and nanotechnology in the Netherlands is formulated in the SRA, as also is the strategy and the funding requirements to realise that ambition. The FES High-Tech Systems & Materials (HTS&M) proposal, in which a significant contribution was proposed to realise the SRA, was submitted on 1 October 2009. Combined, the NWO-nano programme and FES HTS&M provide a vital and complementary instrument to realise the ambitions set out in the SRA.

There are 4 specific themes:

1. NanoMedicine
2. NanoInsights
3. Nanomaterials & Engineering (incl. design & manufacture)
4. Effect analysis

Who can apply

• Professors and university senior lecturers and lecturers with a permanent appointment at Dutch universities and persons holding comparable positions at university hospitals;
• Researchers with a tenure track appointment. NWO defines a tenure track appointment as an appointment for experienced scientific researchers with prospects of permanent employment and a professorship in due course. The tenure track appointment must be recorded in writing and be financed by means of structural funds. The NWO-nano programme office will verify whether the appointment meets these requirements and whether it is guaranteed for the duration of the project;
• Scientific staff permanently employed at research institutes funded mainly by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science;
• Researchers of institutes acknowledged by NWO as stated in Iris (see also § 6.2 in the call for proposals).

What can be applied for

The NWO-nano programme will reimburse the costs incurred for temporary staff appointed for the project at the research institute, and project-specific costs for materials, travel and/or equipment. For the purpose of co-financing, the research institute is responsible for using funding obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to provide the required infrastructure and supervision of project staff.

If an applicant or co-applicant works together with other institutes that NWO does not subsidise, such as TNO or a foreign university, then the non-subsidisable institutes must bear their own costs.

When can be applied

Closing date for submitting proposals was 1 April 2010 12:00 hrs noon.

Criteria

Please refer to the open call for proposals NWO-nano, §4.2.

Procedure

Please refer to the open call for proposals NWO-nano, §4.1.

Committees

Please refer to the open call for proposals NWO-nano, §4.3.

Budget

The total NWO-nano programme budget for research projects is approximately €10 million. The qualitatively best research proposals will be funded.

Financiers

Technology Foundation STW, NWO Divisions Earth and Life Sciences and Chemical Sciences, FOM Foundation and ZonMw.

Contacts

• dr. Rens L.J. Vandeberg
  phone: +31 (0)30 600 13 57, e-mail: r.vandeberg@stw.nl