Future-proof large rivers in the Netherlands

Future-proof large rivers in the Netherlands is sponsored by Dutch Research Council (NWO). This call invites researchers to form consortia with public and private partners to conduct research into the challenges facing the Dutch river system due to climate change, such as sea level rise and fluctuations in water levels and quality.

Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | NWO 30-12-2025: Attention! The budget for research leave has been increased from 10 to 20%, see section 3. 2.

1, subsection '3. 2. 1.

1'. The call text and budget form have been adjusted accordingly 16-01-2026: added document Declaration Research Organisations The goal of this programme is to provide perspectives for potential policy choices concerning the large Dutch rivers. Research financed by this program should investigate the impact which various policy choices might have and how river functions may play into these choices.

As such this programme aims to contribute to possible answers to the question of how the Netherlands can best prepare itself for future challenges concerning river systems. These challenges concern the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and larger changes in river water levels and quality.

In addition, aspects concerning the whole system of the river basin, the socio-economic effects of policy choices and the role of waterborne transport play a significant role. The Directorate-General for Water and Soil Affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is the initiator and is supported in this by the Directorate-General Rijkswaterstaat (DGRWS).

The main applicant submits the application on behalf of the consortium.

There are four categories of participant within a consortium: This Call for proposals has three phases: Registering for collaborative workshops (mandatory for main applicants) Participating in collaborative workshops (mandatory for main applicants or substitution) 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.

For this programme NWO organizes two subsequent collaborative workshops. Attendance is mandatory for the main applicant or a replacement (see section 3. 3.

2 of the call for proposals for more information). Registration for the collaborative workshops is submitted via a form on the NWO website. NWO explicitly invites both researchers and societal parties to participate in the workshops and to jointly develop proposals.

The aim of collaborative workshops is to bring together ideas, stimulate collaboration and submit a limited number of research proposals by broad (innovative) consortia. The workshops also give participants an overview of the forces at play around a topic. The expertise of the participants and their contribution to the impact on the call topic form the substantive basis of the workshops.

The workshops consist of two consecutive meetings in which NWO actively supports the exploration of new collaborations, but the parties ultimately decide for themselves whether and with whom they wish to collaborate. After the workshops, participants will have insight into the possibilities and opportunities for clustering expertise and collaboration, and will further develop their proposals.

Further information about the collaborative workshops can be found here: Collaborative Workshops ‘Future-proof large rivers in the Netherlands’ (NWA) | NWO Within this Call for proposals one project can be funded. A total of € 2. 880.

000 is available. The main applicant and co-applicants can include costs for personnel, equipment, investments, knowledge utilisation and project management. The available budget modules (including maximum amounts) are listed in the Call for proposals.

Apply only for what is essential to carry out the project. The rates and an explanation of these budget modules are given in Annex 7. 1 of the Call for proposals.

Deadline proposals: 10 February 2026, 14:00:00 CET. The applications submitted within this Call for proposals will be substantially assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Problem definition and analysis (20%), Envisaged impact and route to impact (20%), Quality of the consortium (30%), Quality of the research (30%). Each assessment criterion consists of several subcriteria.

More information the criteria can be found in paragraph 4. 3 of the call for proposals. The application procedure consists of the following steps: Registering for and participating in collaborative workshops; submission of the proposal; admissibility of the proposal; preliminary advice assessment committee; meeting of the assessment committee; Detailed information about the procedure can be found in the Call for Proposals, Section 4.

2. Representatives of the DGWB and DGRWS of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Rijkswaterstaat will also be present at the workshops. 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. Applications 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.

An application is prepared (and submitted) after the collaborative workshops, where research ideas were brought together, possible collaborations with other workshop participants were explored and where crucial initial agreements for joint development of the application were made. Mandatory consortium-building activities The (eventual) lead applicant must have participated in both collaborative workshop.

To prepare your application, please follow the steps below: download the application form from the online application system ISAAC or from th NWO website (on the website of the relevant financing instrument); complete the application form; save the form as a PDF file and submit it to ISAAC with any mandatory attachments; complete the information requested online in ISAAC.

declarations of commitment of cooperation partners; declaration co-funding from co-funders (mandatory if applicable); letter guaranteeing the continuity of the project supervision (compulsory if applicable, see Section 3. 1); form 'Statement and signature'.

Downloads for your application Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | call for proposals Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | application form Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | statements and signature form Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | declaration of support without co-funding Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | declaration co-funding Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | budget form Future proof large rivers in the Netherlands | declaration research organisations 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 attended both collaborative workshops? Have you completed the application form? Has the statement been signed by the main applicant?

Do the co-applicants have a statement of approval signed? Have you submitted the budget form? Have you submitted the declaration of support of the cooperation partners?

Have you submitted the letter guaranteeing the continuity of the project supervision? Have you submitted the form ‘Statement and signature’? If applicable: have you submitted the declaration of co-funding?

You can read all the details about the application for funding in the call for proposals. If you have any questions, please contact the contact person.