Graduate Programme

In 2009 and 2010, NWO developed a programme to strengthen the Dutch PhD system at the request of the Minister for Education, Culture and Science and in collaboration with VSNU and KNAW. Interuniversity and local research schools or Graduate Schools can be eligible for a block grant of k€ 800 for the appointment of PhD students. Following the advice of an evaluation committee that examined the design of the first two rounds, NWO has decided to continue the programme.

Who can apply

Applications can be submitted by schools affiliated to Dutch universities. The following criteria must be satisfied by the schools applying:

• Interuniversity schools can only be nominated by the school acting as the official secretary;
• Schools, or parts of schools that have received a grant in an earlier round may not submit an application.

What can be applied for

The programme offers schools a funding opportunity for the appointment of four PhD students. These PhDs form part of a school that, possibly in collaboration with an educational establishment, provides a coherent educational and research programme covering both the master’s and PhD routes.

If an application is honoured then the submitting university will be awarded a block grant of k€ 800. The grant is solely intended for the personnel costs of the PhDs to be appointed and a limited amount for the associated research costs.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting applications was 2 February 2012, 23:59 hrs

Extra Information

NWO intends to make the result known in August 2012. The next round will be in 2013.

Criteria

Detailed information about the criteria can be found in the brochure.

Procedure

A committee drawn from a wide range of disciplines will assess the applications against
the criteria related to the organisational form and will select the schools for the block
grants on the basis of quality.

Committees

The selection committee will be appointed by the Governing Board of NWO. The composition of the committee will be announced once the subsidy round has been completed.

Budget

15 million euro in 2012.

Financiers

The budget is made available to NWO by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Contacts

• Ms M. (Mirjam) Rigterink
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 05 43, e-mail: m.rigterink@nwo.nl