Athena

In the Netherlands the percentage of women who work in the natural and technical sciences decreases, the higher the position. For example, women are underrepresented in assistant, associate and full professorships.

With this premium, the Division for the Chemical Sciences (CW) wants to realise the flow of women in the large group of postdocs with a temporary appointment to a tenured scientific position. This programme will encourage the appointment of talented female researchers within chemistry, who have acquired a Veni subsidy, as tenured assistant professors (or a similar permanent position at a research institute).

Who can apply

The premium will be granted to female researchers who have been awarded a Veni subsidy from the Division for Chemical Sciences and who during the course of the Veni project receive a tenured appointment as assistant professor at a university or a comparable position at a research institute.

What can be applied for

The Athena premium is worth € 100,000 and is granted to the Veni laureate for a maximum period of three years. The premium can be used for the salary of the candidate and for the appointment of additional personnel (PhDs, postdocs, technicians), costs for the acquisition of materials and equipment and/or databases, travel costs and visits to conferences and research institutes.

When can be applied

Applications can be made after the award of a Veni subsidy. For the submission of a Veni application, see the deadlines (www.nwo.nl/vi).

Extra Information

Apart from the Athena premium, NWO and the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) also have the following programmes to encourage the flow of women to tenured university positions:

• the Aspasia programme
• the MEERVOUD programme
• the FOm/v NWO Stimulation Programme

Procedure

After the awarding of the Veni subsidy, CW will contact the female laureate and the board or the directors of the research institute. If the laureate would value a promotion and the board or the directors of the research institute can realise this during the course of the Veni project then the Veni laureate can apply for the Athena premium.

Contacts

• Mw. dr. ir. E.E. (Edda) Neuteboom
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 0768, e-mail: e.neuteboom@nwo.nl