NWO Open Mind

NWO Open Mind is sponsored by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). NWO Open Mind funds surprising new research ideas that use technology to achieve applications with societal impact.

The Open Mind call aims to support out-of-the-box research ideas that offer sustainable solutions to global societal challenges through the power of technology. Whether you are pioneering new ways to transform education, build disaster-proof communication systems, empower people with disabilities, or advance environmental sustainability - we want to hear from you!

Open Mind focuses on original, creative research ideas with meaningful and lasting impact. We’re looking for high-risk high-gain ideas with the potential to be groundbreaking, either within your field or beyond. Your proposal should be bold, and challenge conventional approaches.

The Open Mind program supports one-year projects aimed at bringing these creative ideas to life, with the goal of creating meaningful and lasting impact.

Researchers (including scientific personnel like postdoc and PhD with a master’s degree) from the following research institutes can apply: Universities located in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, University medical centres, Institutes affiliated to the Academy (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW) or NWO, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Advanced Research Centre for NanoLithography (ARCNL), the Princess Maxima Centre.

NWO domain Applied and Engineering Sciences has a total budget of 1. 000,000 euro available. A maximum of 10 Open Mind applications will receive funding, with a maximum of 100,000 euro (inclusive of Dutch VAT) each for the period of maximum one year.

The applicant and co-applicant can apply for funding for personnel and material. An (online) information session is scheduled on January 22 2026 14:00 CET. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 10 2026, before 14:00 CET.

The research proposal should be in line with the aim of Open Mind and contribute to solutions for global societal challenges. The applications submitted will be substantially assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Methodological Soundness, Gap in Existing Solutions, NWO assigns an independent multidisciplinary Assessment Committee consisting of representatives from science and society, featuring a mix of creative minds.

A maximum of 20 proposals will be selected for a pitch-interview session to be evaluated by the Assessment Committee during the annual NWO innovation festival TEKNOWLOGY on 18th June 2026, which requires applicants to be physically present. A maximum of ten Open Mind 2026 winners will be awarded funding during the closing session of TEKNOWLOGY.

Applicants who receive funding are requested to present the obtained results at the following annual TEKNOWLOGY in 2027. 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 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. use can be found in Isaac. Please download and use the forms in Isaac.

Below you will find examples of the required forms. 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.

In order to be able to submit an application: The application form must be completed. A sketch should be provided regarding the research proposal. A link to the video should be given in the application form.

The budget form must be completed. In case of a temporary appointment, a Statement of appointment must be provided.

If the above is complete and you want to submit your application, please save the application form as a PDF file and upload it together with the completed Financial planning (as Excel file) in ISAAC Downloads for your application Open Mind 2026 | call for proposals Open Mind 2026 | application form Open Mind 2026 | budget form Open Mind 2026 | statement of appointment 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? Have you provided a link to a downloadable video or animation, and included a sketch of your research idea on the title page of the application form? In case of applicant(s) with a temporary position, have you submitted a ‘Statement of Appointment’ (mandatory format provided by NWO) from your institute?

Have you submitted the Budget form (in Excel)? 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.

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