Deadline: 10-Feb-2026
The Dutch Research Council is accepting applications for its Future Proof Large Rivers Grant Programme to invite researchers as well as public and private parties forming a consortium aimed at developing knowledge that supports policy choices for the river system in the Netherlands.
The programme seeks to build a foundation of scientific and practical knowledge that can guide both existing and future courses of action within the Netherlands’ long-term water policy. It considers the uncertainties linked to climate change as well as societal needs, and explores policy options ranging from strategic solutions to concrete measures across all knowledge domains to ensure the river area is designed and managed in a future-proof way.
This programme responds to the challenges posed by climate change, sea level rise, and cross-border water dynamics that affect biodiversity, freshwater supply, agriculture, navigation, and flood safety. The river area, being central to multiple interests and stakeholders, requires adaptive measures that can address uncertainties while ensuring the rivers remain safe, resilient, and multifunctional.
The available budget for this call is €2,880,000, with a maximum of one proposal to be awarded. Projects can run for up to six years and funding may cover personnel, equipment, investments, knowledge utilisation, and project management.
Applicants eligible to apply include researchers with tenured positions or tenure track agreements at universities, universities of applied sciences, university medical centres, KNAW or NWO institutes, TO2 institutions, and other approved research organisations. Consortia must include a main applicant, co-applicants, and cooperation partners from societal stakeholders, with optional co-funders. Cooperation partners, representing public or private organisations and where relevant, citizens, must be actively involved throughout the project from co-design to co-creation.
The applications submitted within this Call for Proposals will be substantially assessed based on four main criteria. The first is problem definition and analysis, which accounts for the assessment. The second is envisaged impact and route to impact. The third criterion is the quality of the consortium, contributing to the overall assessment. The fourth and final criterion is the quality of the research. Each of these assessment criteria consists of several subcriteria.
The application procedure consists of a series of steps, starting with registering for and participating in collaborative workshops, followed by the submission of the proposal. Next, the admissibility of the proposal will be checked, after which preliminary advice from the assessment committee will be provided. This is followed by the interview selection process and the interview itself. Finally, the assessment committee will meet, leading to the decision-making stage.
Participation in collaborative workshops scheduled for September 2025 is mandatory for main applicants, and the deadline for submitting full proposals via ISAAC is 10 February 2026 before 14:00 CET.
For more information, visit NWO.