Sustainable Hydrogen - Valorisation Grant

Over the next few decades, our energy system will have to change from fossil to renewable sources. In this vision, hydrogen will play an important role as a ’clean fuel’. The Sustainable Hydrogen programme’s aim is to develop the knowledge and technology concepts to enable this transition.

The Valorisation Grant is aimed at developing inventions created in fundamental research in the sustainable hydrogen research field into more refined technologies that are interesting for further commercial development by industry (a phase which will not be sponsored by the Sustainable Hydrogen programme). The research supported by this grant should lead to a prototype, proof of concept or a new production process.

Who can apply

Any research group within a Dutch University or a research institute recognised by NWO or at a GTI (TNO, ECN, A&F) can apply for the project.

Participation of an industrial partner in the project is obligatory. A clear description of the involvement of the industrial partner in the proposed research should be included in the proposal. Industry/SMEs/spin-off companies that participate in the project act as industrial partners. They are formally not considered as an applicant and cannot apply for funds from ACTS.

Requirements for the main applicant
Professors, associate professors and assistant professors as well as other researchers can apply if they are employed at a Dutch University or a research institute recognised by NWO or at a GTI (TNO, ECN, A&F) and have an employment contract for at least the award period of the grant.

Requirements for co-applicants
All researchers with a tenure(d) (track) position at a Dutch university or institute recognised by NWO or at a GTI (TNO, ECN, A&F).

What can be applied for

Researchers can apply for a grant of up to 275,000 euro. The duration of the project may not exceed 2 years.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting proposals is 15 June 2010

Extra Information

The current tender will be the only tender for Valorisation Grants.

Criteria

The proposal must fit within the framework of the Sustainable Hydrogen Programme. The proposed research plans are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Scientific and technological innovative aspects
• Commercial potential
• Project approach and budget
• The team

Procedure

The proposals will be reviewed in competition by a committee of external experts, the Assessment Committee (AC). The AC will rank the proposals taking into account the criteria for this call.

The Programme Committee will give a recommendation for funding to the Executive Board of ACTS.

The Executive Board of ACTS will take the final decision about which proposals to grant, based upon the ranking by the Assessment Committee and funding recommendations from the Programme Committee. Funding decisions are expected in October 2010.

Committees

The AC consists of industrial members of the (Dutch) hydrogen industry, with extensive expertise in assessing potential application of the inventions.

The Sustainable Hydrogen Programme Committee (PC) is responsible for coordinating and managing the programme and is supported in its task by ACTS. In the PC, scientists from academia as well as the participating industrial partners are represented. The composition of the PC can be found via the Sustainable Hydrogen webpage: www.nwo.nl/acts/h2

Budget

The call for proposals has a budget of approximately 850,000 euro.

Financiers

Advanced Chemical Technologies for Sustainability (ACTS), Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ), Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

Contacts

• Ms dr. I.H.L. Hamelers
  phone: +31 (0)70 349 44 43, e-mail: i.hamelers@nwo.nl