Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The Comenius Senior Fellows mbo 2027 programme supports experienced education professionals in the Netherlands to design and implement innovative teaching and learning projects in secondary vocational education (mbo).
The programme provides €90,000–€100,000 per project over 24–30 months to improve vocational education quality across themes such as equal opportunities, labour market alignment, future-oriented education, and educational innovation.
Programme Overview
The Comenius Senior Fellows mbo programme is a Dutch funding initiative aimed at strengthening innovation and leadership in secondary vocational education.
It enables experienced educators to:
- Develop educational innovation projects within their own practice
- Improve teaching and learning quality in mbo institutions
- Contribute to educational research and knowledge development
- Collaborate with colleagues and students on innovation initiatives
The programme is designed to enhance long-term improvements in vocational education in the Netherlands.
Programme Themes
Applicants must align their project with one of the following themes:
1. Equal Opportunities in Education
- Reducing educational inequality
- Improving inclusion and accessibility
- Supporting diverse student populations
2. Education–Labour Market Connection
- Strengthening employability skills
- Aligning training with industry needs
- Improving transition to work
3. Future-Oriented Education
- Digital learning innovation
- Skills for emerging professions
- Modernised teaching approaches
4. Open Innovation Theme
- Flexible educational innovation projects
- Experimental teaching and learning approaches
Funding Details
Grant Amount
- €90,000 to €100,000 per project
Project Duration
- 24 to 30 months
Total Programme Budget
- €1,200,000
Additional Funding Rules
- Travel: economy class (international), second-class (domestic)
- Open Science compliance required for publication costs
- Audit costs eligible up to €5,000 (for non-OCW institutions)
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be education professionals in publicly funded mbo institutions in the Netherlands
- Work in Regional Training Centres (ROC) or vocational colleges
- Have at least 5 years of mbo teaching experience
- Demonstrate leadership or educational development ambition
Eligible Participants
- Senior lecturers
- Experienced teachers
- Educational developers
- Vocational education specialists
Project Requirements
Projects must:
- Be implemented within the applicant’s own institution
- Include collaboration with colleagues and students
- Focus on measurable educational improvement
- Contribute to vocational education innovation
Application Process
Step 1: Intent Declaration
Applicants must first submit an intention to apply.
Step 2: Pre-Application
A preliminary proposal is submitted for initial review.
Step 3: Full Application
Final proposals are submitted through the ISAAC system.
Submission Platform
- Applications must be submitted via ISAAC
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed by NWO / NRO procedures based on:
- Alignment with programme objectives
- Relevance to selected theme
- Quality of educational innovation
- Feasibility of implementation
- Expected impact on vocational education
What the Programme Supports
Funding may be used for:
- Curriculum innovation
- Teaching method development
- Student-centered learning approaches
- Educational research within practice
- Collaboration and pilot projects
- Evaluation and dissemination activities
Why This Programme Matters
The Comenius Senior Fellows mbo programme helps:
- Strengthen vocational education quality
- Promote leadership in teaching innovation
- Improve student learning outcomes
- Bridge education and labour market needs
- Encourage long-term educational transformation
It also supports systemic improvement in Dutch mbo education.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Weak Theme Alignment
Projects must clearly fit one of the four programme themes.
Limited Educational Impact
Applications should demonstrate measurable improvement in teaching and learning.
Unclear Implementation Plan
Projects must show how innovation will be executed within institutions.
Overly Theoretical Proposals
The programme prioritizes practical, classroom-based innovation.
FAQ
What is the Comenius Senior Fellows mbo programme?
It is a Dutch funding programme supporting experienced vocational education professionals to develop educational innovation projects.
How much funding is available?
Selected projects receive €90,000–€100,000.
Who can apply?
Educators with at least 5 years of experience in publicly funded mbo institutions in the Netherlands.
How long are projects funded?
Projects run for 24 to 30 months.
What are the programme themes?
Equal opportunities, labour market connection, future-oriented education, and open innovation.
How are applications submitted?
Through a multi-stage process using the ISAAC system.
Conclusion
The Comenius Senior Fellows mbo 2027 programme provides substantial funding and structured support for experienced educators in the Netherlands to lead meaningful innovation in vocational education. By focusing on equity, employability, future skills, and educational experimentation, the programme strengthens both teaching quality and long-term transformation in mbo institutions.
For more information, visit NKO.