Free Competition

The Division for Physical Sciences (Dutch acronym: EW) Free Competition (previously: Open Competition) is intended for the best scientific project proposals that do not fall within a theme. Applications should be clearly significant for at least one of the disciplines astronomy, computer science or mathematics.

The Free Competition is intended for applications for innovative, risky fundamental research with a high-quality research question and scientific or practical urgency.

Who can apply

Researchers from Dutch universities, NWO and KNAW institutes on behalf of a team of researchers from one or more research institutes.

What can be applied for

Research proposals that do not fall within a programme, including project-related equipment and/or additional travel budget.

When can be applied

Physical Sciences applies a system of continuous submission. Twice every 12 months, submitted proposals which are at that moment not yet being processed, are collected for assessment. These collection dates are 15 February 2010 and 15 September 2010 at noon.

Extra Information

On the collection date of 6 October 2009 65 applications were received. 

Criteria

Please refer to call for proposals.

Procedure

Please refer to call for proposals.

Committees

For each discipline (astronomy, informatics and mathematics) a specific assessment committee will be arranged. From these, a divisional committee will be formed.

Budget

A total of 5 million euro is available per round across all of the proposals received.

Financiers

NWO Division for Physical Sciences.

Contacts

• Mw. drs. Y. (Yvette) Tuin
  phone: 070 - 3440812, e-mail: y.tuin@nwo.nl