Summit to benefit 'world-class' multi-year research

A total sum of 188 million euros has been earmarked for the Summit grants over the next decade, according to the application put online by NWO this week. Successful research proposals will get a budget of 15 to 40 million euros, depending on their size and needs.

Quantum leap
In July, the Dutch Minister of Education, Robbert Dijkgraaf, announced the new grant, which was then still under development, saying it would "strengthen the long-term position of science in the Netherlands".

To NWO, the dual meaning of the word "summit" – which refers to both meetings and mountain tops – is appropriate as the grant is intended for collaborations involving several research teams. They must be able to demonstrate that they are "at a world-class level" in their field (or very close to it) and that they can make a "quantum leap" with structural financial support.

All universities, research institutes and academic teaching hospitals in the Netherlands are eligible. Each institution has until June 20 to register up to two collaborative projects, which must comprise four researchers or more. Six or seven consortia will be selected in the end.