Brain & Cognition: an Integrated Approach

General aims of the programme ‘Brain & cognition: an integrated approach’

The overall and most important aim of the programme Brain & Cognition: an integrated approach is to promote research that uses an integrative approach. Within this framework, four specific goals are set:

1. Stimulation of excellent research;
2. Formation of (inter)national interdisciplinary networks;
3. Interdisciplinary education of high-potential junior investigators;
4. Contribution to new insights into neural substrates of human cognition.

Who can apply

Senior scientists holding a doctor’s degree and employed by a Dutch university or other research institute recognized by NWO (as specified in the Regeling subsidieverlening NWO (2007) may apply.

Only researchers who have been invited to submit a full proposal, after succesfully submitting a preproposal first, are allowed to apply.

What can be applied for

In view of the desired interdisciplinary collaboration within and between institutions, a maximum of two PhD and/or post doc positions can be applied for on the standard remuneration agreed in the covenant between NWO and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU). Consumables and analysis expenses can be funded up to an annual maximum of € 25,000 per application. You may apply for a budget with a maximum of € 500,000.

When can be applied

• Deadline for submitting preliminary proposals was 3 June 2009, 12:00 hrs
• Deadline for submitting full proposals was 1 December 2009, 12:00 hrs

Criteria

In evaluating and ranking the proposals, the evaluation committee will consider the following criteria:

Contribution to the main goals of the programme:

• Integrative research approach;
• Interdisciplinarity of the proposal and research teams;
• Contribution to new insights in the connection between human cognition and neural substrates.

Scientific quality:

• Quality of the proposed principal investigators, their research team and the infrastructure in which they will be working;
• Quality of the proposed research plan.

Procedure

The scientific quality and feasibility of the full proposals will be assessed by international experts in accordance with the usual system of hearing both sides of the argument. Based on this standard peer review procedure and the written reaction of the applicants on the comments of the reviewers, the independent international evaluation committee will use its scientific expertise to formulate a recommendation for funding for the involved NWO Division Boards, who will formalise the advice of the evaluation committee.

Committees

The composition of the programme committee, is published on the programme website www.nwo.nl/bcia.

Budget

A total budget of up to M€ 6 is available for this Call for Programmes for Excellence. The budget for the entire programme Brain & Cognition: an Integrated Approach amounts to M€ 7.5.

Financiers

The programme is funded by the NWO Divisions Earth and Life Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences and ZonMw.