Cooperation Germany - von Humboldt Stiftung (VHS)

NWO has a cooperation agreement with the Von Humboldt Stiftung (VHS) in Bonn. Under this agreement, VHS makes two research prizes available each year to enable Dutch senior researchers to conduct their own research for a period of between 4 and 12 months at a German research institute, while NWO offers the same opportunity for two German senior researchers to conduct their own research in the Netherlands.

The aim of this reciprocal award of research prizes is to promote existing or new international cooperation between outstanding researchers in the two countries. Successful candidates will be outstanding researchers at the peak of their careers who currently occupy executive positions, have a high international reputation in the relevant field of study and may be expected to make further substantial contributions to the advancement of science.

Who can apply

It is open to any eminent researcher (preferably of professorial status) with a permanent contract of employment at a Dutch university, KNAW or NWO research institute, NKI or MPI Nijmegen to nominate a German candidate for an NWO Von Humboldt Research Prize. Similarly, German researchers can nominate Dutch candidates for the prizes awarded by VHS.

What can be applied for

• Candidate’s subsistence costs for the asked research period (4-12 months)
• Candidate’s international travel expenses (1 standard return fare to the Dutch destination)
• Associated research costs (including costs of attending conferences and costs of local travel)

When can be applied

Nominations may be submitted at any time of year. The decision procedure takes about six months.

Extra Information

A researcher is eligible for a Von Humboldt Research Prize only once in his/her career. In view of the purpose of the programme, it is not the intention that these prizes and the periods of research associated with them should be used in combination. Researchers who have received any award in recognition of their academic achievements in the last year are not eligible for nomination and applicants must inform NWO if their candidates are awarded such prizes in the course of the procedure.

At the date on which the application is received, candidates must not have been based in the Netherlands for more than six months. If a researcher has in the past spent between 6 and 12 months in the Netherlands, s/he must no longer be based in the Netherlands at the time of nomination. If a researcher has in the past spent more than 12 months in the Netherlands, s/he must not have been based in the Netherlands for at least a year at the time of nomination.

Criteria

• scientific quality, originality and relevance of the research programme;
• quality of the researcher.

Procedure

Assessment will take place through peer review.

Committees

Grants committee

Budget

Application will be financed from the budget 2012 for visitors travel grants of 370.000 euro.

Financiers

NWO and the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung (VHS).

Contacts

• Mw. W.F. Geldof
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 05 27, e-mail: w.geldof@nwo.nl
• Ms S. Krapels
  phone: +31 (0)70 349 44 37, e-mail: s.krapels@nwo.nl

Documentation for applying