Women in Chemistry

NWomen in ChemistryWO aims to strengthen the career perspective of female researchers and ultimately to address the underrepresentation of women in higher academic positions. At NWO Chemical Sciences (NWO-CW), we offer several grants, tools and meetings to reach this goal.

Event ‘Women in Chemistry - The elements of success’
This event has been organised in 2008 and in 2011. It aims at enhancing the interaction between female researchers and their visibility within the academic world. NWO-CW offers a varied programme, with female researchers presenting their research and career path, and several workshops on networking, presenting yourself and writing grants. Inbetween there is enough opportunity to meet, interact and exchange experiences with each other.


LinkedIn group NWO Women in Chemistry
The LinkedIn group 'NWO Women in Chemistry' offers female researchers the opportunity to meet each other, exchange experiences and tips and tricks. They can also ask questions and tell NWO-CW what they think. The group was set up to meet the demand of many visitors to the Women in Chemistry events for an online network. Unitll further notice only female researchers are invited to join the group.


Grants: tips & tricks for the Vernieuwingsimpuls
NWO values applications from women scientists for grants within its Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (Vernieuwingsimpuls or VI; Veni, Vidi and Vici competition). Firstly because this is an important programme to support talented scientists and NWO thinks it is important that women scientists are successful in this programme. Secondly because we link Aspasia premiums to the Vidi and Vici competition and the CW Athena premium to the Veni competition.
The tips and tricks in the brochure Pump your career may help you with your application. For more support, please contact your own university (in the back of the VI brochure you find relevant contact information) or check the website of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme for information about the VI information meetings.

Grants: Aspasia
The aim of Aspasia is to encourage the promotion of female academics to senior lecturer (or professorial) level. To qualify as an Aspasia candidate, a female applicant for a Vidi or Vici grant must either have been awarded such a grant, or starting from 2010 have had her application judged worthy of grant following the interview procedure but been unsuccessful in obtaining one because of resource constraints. Executive Boards that promote such applicants to senior lecturer or professor within a year of the Vidi or Vici grant award decision may, subject to certain conditions, qualify for a premium.


Grants: Athena

The Athena premium will be granted to female researchers who have been awarded a Veni subsidy from NWO Chemical Sciences and who during the course of the Veni project receive a permanent appointment as assistant professor at a university or a comparable position at a research institute.


Charter Talent to the Top
In March 2010 NWO signed the charter Talent to the Top. With this, NWO as an employer subscribes to the NWO Governing Board’s aim of having at least two women on all boards and committees of NWO within five years. In addition to this, NWO wants to realise more stability in the male/female diversity in its own top positions. An optimal diversity in the staff is an important condition for quality. The offices and institutes of NWO shall take specific measures to reach these goals.


Wanted: female committee members
It is often difficult for NWO to find female academics willing to serve on boards and committees. This is a pity because memberships of this kind offer many potential benefits: the chance for academics to expand their networks, to gain an 'insider view' of NWO assessment procedures, and to enhance their track records in administration. Female professors and senior lecturers (UHDs) who would like to serve on assessment committees are invited to express their interest via aspasia@nwo.nl. Please state your specific discipline and give full contact details.

Contact
For more information, please contact Varsha Kapoerchan at the NWO CEW office, t: 070 34 94 442 e: womeninchemistry@nwo.nl.


More information

Read more on NWO's measures to enhance women's careers in science