NWO Take-off Phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO/HBO/TO2 is sponsored by NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research). Take-off is a program to stimulate and support activity and entrepreneurship in the scientific community.

Take-off phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO 2026 | NWO Take-off focuses on facilitating and stimulating activity and entrepreneurship from Dutch universities and research institutes recognized by NWO. This involves creating innovative new activities that follow knowledge development and utilization by researchers at these knowledge institutions.

This may concern product, process, care or service innovation in the broadest sense of the word, within all scientific fields.

Researchers from the following research institutes can submit applications: Dutch universities (or comparable positions at university medical centers); the Netherlands Cancer Institute; the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen; Advanced Research Center for NanoLithography (ARCNL); Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology.

NWO provides funding for Take-off feasibility studies in the form of grants with a maximum size of 60,000 euros for a maximum period of six months for the performance of a study into the feasibility for commercial application of specific innovative knowledge that has arisen within these research institutions. Applications can be submitted continuously via ISAAC until December 10, 2026, at 14:00:00 CET at the latest .

Unlike previous Take-off Phase 1 rounds, this Call for Proposals applies to the whole of 2026. Separate Calls for Proposals will no longer be published for spring and fall rounds. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis.

Applications will be assessed in batches of 40, with 15 applications per batch being awarded funding, provided they meet the required quality standards. A maximum of five batches will be considered. There will no longer be a cluster classification in the assessment; applications will be assessed by a broad committee.

See the Call for Proposals for more information. The ranking criteria for Take-off WO phase 1 - feasibility studies are: Knowledge base and innovativeness knowledge that forms the basis of the business idea; application possibilities and added value. scientific expertise applicant(s) and support staff; entrepreneurial and commercial skills; team involvement in the implementation of the project plan.

Quality of the project plan practical and economic approach; project budget, broken down by project activity. 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.

NWO therefore encourages and facilitates researchers with various funding options, such as training courses, loans and grants for both individual researchers and teams. Information meeting Take-off phase 1 Feasibility studies WO 2026 The 2026 call Take-off phase 1 Feasibility studies is expected to open for applications in early January 2026.

NWO will inform potential applicants and grant advisors during an online information meeting on 14 January 2026. You will find all of the documents that you need for your application here. 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 below.

Downloads for your application Take-off phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO | call for proposals Take-off phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO | application form Take-off phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO | instructions application form Take-off phase 1 – Feasibility studies WO | budget form 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 filled in the application form? Did you fill in the budget form? Have you read through the instructions?

Applications can be submitted continuously, as long as the maximum number of application has not been reached and until 10 December 2026. In the Call for Proposals, you can read back all the details surrounding the application for funding. If you have any questions, please contact the contact person.

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