TOP Grants

TOP grants are 780,000 euro grants, directed at research groups that excel in
(bio)chemistry or chemical technology and that have a proven track record. The grants
offer these groups the opportunity and freedom to strengthen or extend excellent,
challenging and innovative lines of research.

Who can apply

• Group leaders (assistant, associate or full professors) at a Dutch university or NWO approved research institute can apply.
• A research group is allowed to submit one application only.

More information on the terms and conditions for application is found in the call for proposals.

What can be applied for

• TOP grants up to 780,000 euro.
• Grants can be used to finance personnel, consumables and equipment related to the proposed research.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting applications is 28 September 2011.

Extra Information

Several extra terms and conditions apply to the TOP granting scheme:

• Scientists who are entitled to apply in the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (Vernieuwingsimpuls) Veni or Vidi cannot apply for a TOP grant.
• A researcher who submitted a full proposal to one of the NWO divisions in the Vici round 2011 cannot apply for a regular TOP grant or ECHO project grant with CW.
• Between 1 July 2011 and 1 January 2012 a researcher may submit only one application either for a TOP grant, for an ECHO project grant or for an ECHO-STIP grant.
• Research groups that were awarded a TOP grant in the past three years (2009-2011) by one of the NWO divisions cannot apply for a CW TOP grant.
• At least two-third of the total number of personnel positions financed by NWO grants should be occupied.

The specific conditions that apply upon granting of a TOP grant are available on this website (top right, in Dutch only). The NWO General Terms and Conditions apply unless these specific conditions or the TOP/ECHO Call for proposals, subsidy round 2011-2012 provide otherwise.

Most answers to questions concerning TOP grants can be found on this website (top right).

Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Fit with research in CW
2. Scientific merits
3. Innovative character
4. Past performance / track record

The criteria are specified in the Call for Proposals. The Call can be downloaded from this website.

Procedure

The proposals will be assessed in a een peer review procedure by (inter)national reviewers and ranked by one of the juries. The Division Board will decide on granting in April/May 2012.

Committees

Each of CW's three focus areas has one or more juries. The study teams will nominate candidates for membership of the juries, from which the Division Board will constitute appropriate juries. A jury ranks the proposals for TOP grants and ECHO project grants/ECHO-STIP grants within the focus area. The composition of the jury of the 2010- 2011 round is available on this website (top right).

Budget

A budget of 10-12 Million euro is available for TOP grants and ECHO project grants together. Approximately five to ten TOP grants will be awarded.

Financiers

NWO Division for Chemical Sciences.

Contacts

• Dr. M.M.E. (Margot) Snel
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 07 58, e-mail: m.snel@nwo.nl
• Dr. V.V. (Varsha) Kapoerchan
  phone: +31 (0)70 349 44 42, e-mail: v.kapoerchan@nwo.nl