Dutch research scores well in Europe

20 January 2010

Sixteen researchers in the Netherlands win ERC Advanced Grants

This is a joint press release by NWO, KNAW and VSNU

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 'Advanced Grants' to sixteen researchers affiliated to Dutch institutions. This prestigious grant can range up to €3.5 million per person. This score marks another fine performance for the Netherlands, now lying in fifth place behind the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. As a relatively small country for research, the Netherlands has succeeded in taking its place at the top table. NWO, KNAW and the VSNU are delighted with these results.

The ERC wants to encourage excellent research by experienced researchers with the Advanced Grant, which can be up to a maximum of €3.5 million for a period of five years. A total of 1584 researchers submitted applications and 236 research proposals have now been approved. The total available budget amounts for €515 million. The list of winners that has now been published may still have further researchers added to it. These awards will follow later in the year. Nearly all sixteen of the Dutch researchers had previously received a major grant award from NWO, including four winners of an NWO Spinoza Prize.

ERC awards strengthen the Dutch knowledge-based economy

The Netherlands has scored well in this round. The number of ERC researchers attached to Dutch institutions has risen to 81 as a result of this round of awards. The lion’s share of the budget involved in these awards will be spent in the Netherlands, giving a considerable boost to Dutch research.

The ERC, which has been part of the European Union’s Framework Programme since 2007, focuses on scientific excellence and on stimulating talent. One of its responsibilities is the award of grants under the ‘Ideas’ heading of the Framework Programme. ‘Ideas’ offers finance to top researchers who want to carry out pioneering research. The ERC is responsible for the European Starting Grants and Advanced Grants. These account for €7.5 billion between 2007 and 2013.

The list of 16 winners attached to Dutch institutions
The complete list of awards

About NWO

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) is the principal Dutch science funding body and its mission is to facilitate excellent scientific research in the Netherlands by means of national competition. Each year NWO spends more than 700 million euro on grants for top researchers, on innovative instruments and equipment, and on institutes where top research is performed. NWO funds the research of more than 5300 talented researchers at universities and institutes. Independent experts select proposals by means of a peer review system. NWO facilitates the transfer of knowledge to society.

About KNAW

The Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is the forum, conscience and voice of Dutch science. It derives its authority from its members, who are selected on the basis of quality. From a position of independence, it monitors the quality and interests of science and provides advice to the government. It is also responsible for nineteen institutions, whose research and collections put them at the forefront of Dutch science and guarantees them an international reputation. The KNAW is accordingly the authority for and of Dutch science.

About VSNU

The VSNU, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands, is formed by the fourteen Dutch universities. The VSNU champions the interests of its members in relation to the government of the day, and other political, governmental and public organisations. The VSNU is also an employers’ federation which undertakes consultations with government and employee organisations on employment conditions within the university sector (which employs about 52,000 people). Finally, the VSNU develops service activities to benefit its members.

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last modified on 8 February 2010