Mathematical Clusters

As a result of the growing involvement of mathematics with other disciplines the need for new mathematical methods and techniques for solving vital social problems has considerably increased in recent years. The volume of mathematical research in the Netherlands, however, has been greatly reduced over the past ten years. NWO invites the Dutch universities to form a number of clusters of excellent research in mathematics. In this way a contribution can be made to promoting research on several important and current themes as well as to ending the present decline in mathematics research. At the moment the Dutch universities are putting a lot of effort into creating the future master courses. Recently the mathematics principals of the Dutch universities have given their support to a proposal to jointly organise the master courses in mathematics. The mathematics clusters are the perfect entourage for that part of the master’s mathematics teaching which is linked to the research area to be studied by the cluste r.

In the paper New Dimensions, Wider Scope measures are proposed to strengthen and stress the distinctive features of Dutch mathematics research. The most important of these measures is the creation of a number of thematically oriented research clusters. The research themes mentioned in this OOW paper indicate the direction which research in these clusters is to take. The seven themes, centred around the covering theme of Mathematics at Intersections, are: Mathematics and life sciences, Mathematics and image processing, Mathematics and scientific computing, Mathematics and networks, Financial mathematics, Mathematics and dynamics, Mathematics and theoretical physics. These are wide-ranging research themes that are adequate to satisfy the Dutch knowledge market. The aim of this invitation is to allow excellent programmatic groups (clusters) to combine forces and operate in selected research fields. These clusters will provide centres for national and international cooperation both within mathematics and with other disciplines. The research environment thus created will attract young mathematicians from abroad and prevent a further brain drain from the Netherlands. One idea is to implement the presently proposed measure to expand the mathematics research by initially three clusters. As regards the research philosophy and practical cooperative schemes, good examples are provided by the Sonderforschungsbereiche of the German national research organisation DFG. These are characterised by research on appealing themes through concentrated and often transdisciplinary collaborative ventures. The clusters will play a key role in setting up master courses revolving around their research theme.

Who can apply

All Dutch universities, in self-elected forms of cooperation, can submit a research proposal to NWO. In cooperative ventures mathematics personnel affiliated with at least two different universities must be present. Scientists from other disciplines or from scientific institutes or the business world can also take part in the cooperative venture.

What can be applied for

For each cluster a yearly sum of 700,000 euro maximum is available for a period of 4 years. Depending on the seniority of the researchers to be appointed, this allows for the extension of the cooperative venture by approximately seven staff, plus starting-up expenses, most of whom will be housed in the cluster centre. In this way the minimal size required of a cluster and a sufficient level of quality are attained which, together with the required and expected commitment of the applying institute, will constitute a substantial contribution to the relevant research field. The newly to be appointed staff may consist of professors but also (senior) lecturers or postdoctorals. The available money is also to be used for attracting talented students to the cluster research by appointing student research assistants as well as for organising an international masterclass.

Criteria

Relevant for making the assessment are naturally, in the first place, the quality and strength of the desired group and the research plan. In addition a very major part is played by the prospects offered by the relevant universities for continuation of the group after the subsidy period has ended and in the case of proven success of the research. The following criteria are also significant:

• The extent to which the cluster accommodates the research strengths and opportunities in the Netherlands
• The extent to which the cluster promotes the bringing together of mathematical talent from existing research groups in the Netherlands
• The extent to which new talent is attracted and the attractiveness for excellent international researchers
• The extent to which the research fits in with themes from NWO’s strategic paper, the OOW paper and the main points of Dutch innovation policy and the extent to which the research in the relevant areas is boosted and reinvigorated
• The prospect that a coordinated master course will be able to connect with the research cluster

Procedure

Groups wanting to apply for this kind of NWO subsidy must send in a preliminary registration. A joint committee of ACW/OOW and a representative of the ministries of Economic Affairs and Education will assess the pre-registrations. The board of the Council for Exact Sciences will decide which groups, with a maximum of six, will be invited to submit a fully worked-up proposal. The selected groups submit their worked-up proposals to NWO containing extra details. Assessment of the worked-up proposals will take place on the basis of an international, written peer review and of a presentation by the intended cluster head before a committee that consists of international experts and representatives of ACW/OOW and the ministries of Economic Affairs and Education. This committee will make a recommendation regarding grants and create a ranking. The board of the Council for Exact Sciences will finally decide which proposals are to be approved. A supervisory committee will, after approval, advise on the setting up and operation of the clusters. The supervisory committee will consist of representatives of ACW/OOW as well as representatives of the field.

Contacts

• Mw. dr. ir. P.W. (Petra) de Bont
  phone: 070 - 344 06 77, e-mail: p.debont@nwo.nl

no documentation available