DeMoCraft (NWA 'Onderzoek op Routes door Consortia (ORC)')

DeMoCraft (NWA 'Onderzoek op Routes door Consortia (ORC)') is sponsored by NWO (Dutch Research Council). This project, funded by the Dutch Research Council, focuses on developing 'democratic moral craftsmanship' among politicians and public officials.

Dutch Research Agenda - Research along Routes by Consortia 2026 | NWO The aim of the NWA ORC 2026 call for proposals is to encourage research that is set up and carried out by inter- and transdisciplinary consortia that include representatives from the full breadth of the knowledge chain as well as relevant societal (public and/or private) partners, including citizens.

The research will address so called wicked problems, focused on themes that are proposed by NWA-route networks and based on one or more of the 140 cluster questions. Proposals should be submitted by a consortium in which the various types of research in the knowledge chain (fundamental, applied and practice-oriented) are represented.

There are four categories of participant within a consortium: The main applicant submits the application on behalf of the consortium. More information about the four categories of participants as well as specific requirements regarding who can apply, can be found in paragraph 3. 1 of the call for proposals.

In this Call for Proposals, consortium formation is encouraged through the use of collaborative workshops. The main applicant must have participated in both collaborative workshops on the relevant theme, or a substitute must have been present. In this round, proposals can be submitted that are based on a theme as described in Annex 7.

5 of the Call for proposals. Project duration should be 4-8 years, and maximum available budget is €7,250,000. The budget is built up using the NWO-wide standardised building blocks, the so-called modules.

Seven modules are available in this call: Extensive information about the modules can be found in section 3. 2 and annex 7. 1 of the call for proposals.

The NWA-ORC 2026 round has two phases: Registration for and participation in collaborative workshops (mandatory for main applicants) Between 6 February and 17 March 2026, NWO organises collaborative workshops with the aim of bringing together interested parties (researchers and public and/or private social parties) around a specific theme, combining research ideas (joining forces) and forming broad innovative consortia.

You can register for the workshops via this page . The deadline for submission of proposals via ISAAC is 6 October 2026, at 14:00:00 CEST .

Proposals submitted within this Call for proposals will be substantially assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Problem definition and analysis, contribution to a solution (20%) Envisaged impact and route to impact (20%) Quality of the consortium (30%) Quality of the research (30%) Each assessment criterion consists of several aspects. More information on the criteria can be found in paragraph 4. 3 of the call for proposals.

The application procedure consists of the following steps: registration for collaborative workshops; participation in the collaborative workshops (mandatory for the main applicant or a deputy (see paragraph 3. 3. 2)); submission of the proposal; admissibility of the proposal; pre advice assessment committee; assessment committee meeting; Detailed information about the procedure can be found in the Call for Proposals, Section 4.

2. Informative webinar on the NWA ORC 2026 28 August 2026, 10:00 - 11:15 Responsible research data management is an essential component of good research practice. Prepare a data management plan after the grant is awarded and before the project starts.

Proposals must be submitted through the Isaac application and reporting system. If you do not have an Isaac account yet, then please create one at least one workday in advance. More information about writing a proposal and which forms you need to use can be found in Isaac.

Please download and use the forms in Isaac. Below you will find examples of the required forms. The proposal is submitted by a knowledge-chain-wide, inter- and transdisciplinary consortium (see section 3.

1 of the Call for Proposals). Research is based on themes proposed by and with support from the broad network of the NWA route networks and involves innovative, demand-driven research with the aim of achieving scientific and social breakthroughs. Mandatory consortium-building activities In this Call for Proposals, consortium formation is encouraged through the use of collaborative workshops.

The main applicant must have participated in both collaborative workshops on the relevant theme, or a substitute must have been present. The aim of the workshops is bringing together interested parties (researchers and public and/or private social parties) around a specific theme, combining research ideas (joining forces) and forming broad innovative consortia. You can register for the workshops via this page .

To participate in the collaborative workshops, you must have read the Call for Proposals and registered via this page . After the collaborative workshops, you will find the forms for your proposal on this page and in ISAAC.

Downloads for your application NWA-ORC 2026 | call for proposals NWA-ORC 2026 | application form NWA-ORC 2026 | declaration of support (without co-funding) NWA-ORC 2026 | declaration co-funding NWA-ORC 2026 | contribution to investments NWA-ORC 2026 | guarantee continuity project supervision NWA-ORC 2026 | declaration research organisations NWA-ORC 2026 | budget sheet preliminary NWA-ORC 2026 | form statements and signature Online manual grant application system ISAAC ISAAC offers applicants for research funding the possibility to track their application in the assessment process.

The funding process explained NWO has a fixed procedure for handling all applications. Learn more about how the application procedure is set up – from the moment you apply until a decision is reached. Do you already have an account in Isaac?

Have you completed the application form? Has the statement been signed by the main applicant? You can read all the details about the application for funding in the call for proposals.

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