By supporting promising researchers from Dutch research institutes through a two-year fellowship, NWO's Faculty of Impact provides the opportunity to turn innovations coming from research into businesses. Faculty of Impact works with thematic rounds, that are connected to the major societal challenges of our time. In 2024, the two highlighted themes are the following:
- Agriculture, water and food: The Netherlands need a vital rural area and resilient nature in a climate-resistant environment. Water and soil are a driving force, the agricultural and food system is sustainable and healthy, and the delta is safe;
- Circular economy: the Netherlands is fully circular in 2050.
There is also room for proposals around the three other themes from the mission-driven innovation policy, namely:
- Energy transition: Netherlands climate neutral by 2050;
- Health and care: People in the Netherlands live five years longer in good health and there are 30% fewer health differences between socio-economic groups in 2040;
- Security: The Netherlands is safe and resilient against external threats and undermining crime, both in the physical environment and the digital domain.
In the current round however, most of the grants that will be awarded will focus on the two focus themes.
Budget and deadline
The call for proposals is now open. The deadline for submitting applications is 1 October 2024. Fourteen fellows are expected to participate in this round of Faculty of Impact and a maximum application grant of € 185,000 applies to each of them.
Support by VU IXA-GO
VU IXA-GO is the go-to helpdesk for advice on your application in the Faculty of Impact. VU IXA-GO has the expertise required for successful applications; since the first time the call was open, candidates from various research backgrounds have been accepted into the programme.
Eligible for application are:
- PhD students who have almost completed their PhD research before the start date of the Faculty of Impact programme.
- Postdocs, university (senior) lecturers or other scientific staff (max. scale 11) or comparable positions at a university of applied sciences.
"Our Business and Impact Development team enthusiastically supports researchers applying for the Faculty of Impact. We actively identify suitable research projects for the program, especially PhD-candidates who are playing with the idea of their own company. We then gladly assist with application reviews. Last year, we proudly supported two successful applications from VU researchers, providing tailored training for the interview phase of the selection process."
~ Dalila El Ouarrat, Business Developer at VU IXA-GO
Are you interested in the Faculty of Impact? Please feel welcome to contact VU IXA-GO's Business and Impact Developers via ixa@vu.nl.
For more information about the program and application process, please visit the NWO website and check the program page here.
About the Faculty of Impact
The Faculty of Impact is a collaboration between the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), Techleap and NWO. The Faculty of Impact has its own website that includes stories about the fellows of the programme, FAQ and news.