Mosaic

Ethnic minorities are currently under-represented in Dutch academic research. The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science are keen to promote diversity and are concerned about the present loss of talent to the academic world. In 2002, NWO commissioned an investigation into the causes of under-representation by gathering information on the number of ethnic minority researchers working in the Dutch universities and their experiences in the universities. A survey shows that almost none of the universities' academic staff are drawn from the Netherlands' main imigrant communities – especially those from Turkey, Morocco, Surinam and the Antilles. On the other hand, recently both the number of students from these minorities enrolling at universities and the proportion of them succesfully completing their degree courses have increased. Clearly, something is keeping these graduates from moving on into doctoral research. The problem appears to be twofold: academic institutions do not identify well potential doctoral students form the minorities, persuading them to stay on, and potential doctoral students are often unaware of the opportunities and lack the necessary network.

Based on this information, NWO and the Ministry of OCW conceived a programme that aims at helping representatives of ethnic minorities into the world of science. This Mozaïek (Mosaic) programme started in 2004.

Who can apply

Applicants must be: graduates from or final-year students at a Dutch university who have received their entire university education in the Netherlands, or – if they have taken only their university Master’s degree (and not their Bachelor’s) here – have been resident in the Netherlands for at least 5 years. In addition, both of the applicant’s parents – or the applicant and minimally one parent – must have been born in one of the specified countries (see list at back of brochure).

Graduates who have already obtained a doctoral research post may not apply.

What can be applied for

Subsidies will be awarded in the form of a lump sum (personal grant). For a four-year period of doctoral research, the maximum amount will be 200,000 euro (in total for staff costs and associated research costs).

When can be applied

• The closing date for submitting concise idea was 14 January 2010 23:59 hrs
• The closing date for submitting full proposals is 6 May 2010 23:59 hrs

You may only submit a full proposal in May if you are invited to do so, based on the brief research idea that you submit in January.

Extra Information

Applications must be written in English. Each application must be accompanied by one joint signed letter of recommendation from a professor and (optionally) a mentor, both of whom must be affiliated with one of the 13 Dutch universities.

Criteria

The assessment criteria are fully specified in the brochure. An English brochure is available.

Procedure

Registration and procedure
Full information on participation, criteria and procedure can be found in the brochure. Read this brochure carefully!

The procedure in a nutshell: Interested persons have the opportunity to apply at NWO until 14 January 2010 by submitting a brief research idea using the (English-language) application form. Each candidate had to submit a recommandatory letter by a proposed supervisor at one of the 13 Dutch universities. A maximum of 40 candidates will be invited to the workshop days. During these three days they will be given advice on how to work their initial idea up into a full research proposal. The worked-up proposals will then be presented to a selection committee. In case of sufficient quality 20 thesis proposals can be approved. The results will be made known early August 2010.

Committees

The Mosaic committee represents all NWO Divisions.

Budget

There subsidy round in 2010 has an available budget of 4 million euro which will be used to award approximately 20 Mosaic grants.

Financiers

NWO has decided to make 2 million euro available for the Mosaic programme. The ministry of Culture, Education and Science has contributed 2 million euro as well. A number of universities may provide additional PhD positions.

Contacts

• Coördinator Mozaïek
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 05 43, e-mail: mozaiek@nwo.nl