Strategy MaGW
The social and behavioural sciences are vitally important to our society, our welfare and our well-being. Knowledge from research increases our understanding of societal and social processes and contributes to solutions for social and societal problems. And of course research also contributes to the development of scientific knowledge.
Together with scientists, national and international scientific organisations, government departments, public organisations and the private sector, the Division for the Social Sciences (MaGW) develops and funds research programmes. MaGW focuses on high-quality fundamental and strategic research. Scientists can submit research proposals within research programmes and in open competitions.
MaGW attaches considerable importance to the dissemination of research results to potential users. Consequently clients, partners and professionals in policy or everyday practice are involved in the research as much as possible from an early stage so as to maximise the benefit they gain from the new knowledge.
The social and behavioural sciences touch upon almost all developments in society and the lives of individuals.
In keeping with the NWO Strategy 2007-2010, three lines of action were defined:
Providing more opportunities for talented researchers
- improving the career perspective of researchers by means of person-specific talent grants
- stimulating risky and innovative research in the Open Competition
- strengthening the national research infrastructure by means of improvements to various research facilities
Cooperation with social partners
- investing in the development of new research themes
- promoting the utilisation of knowledge by researchers
Consolidating Strengths
- the development of a National Initiative Brain and Cognition, in cooperation with the NWO Divisions Earth and Life Sciences, Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, and Humanities
- working on an international consolidation of strengths, for example in the framework of the ERA-NET NORFACE
