The VIDI grant is intended for researchers who have carried out several years of postdoctoral research after the completion of their doctoral theses. In this period, they have generated innovative ideas and have independently developed these with success. The researchers belong to the top 10 to 20% in their field. The grant gives them the opportunity to develop their own innovative research line and to appoint one or more researchers.
Some 278 researchers wrote a research proposal. The proposals were assessed by scientists from both the Netherlands and other countries. In the end 79 proposals were selected for funding. The successful candidates were selected due to their outstanding and original talent for carrying out innovative scientific research. More than one quarter of the candidates selected were not born in the Netherlands.
The NWO is paying for almost 70% of each grant. The university or the institute is contributing the remaining 30 odd percent. The total budget for the awards is about 47 million euro.
The VIDI grant is one of the three grant forms in the Innovational Research Incentive Scheme. The other two grants are the VENI grant (for those who have recently obtained a doctorate) and the VICI grant (for highly experienced researchers). The Innovational Research Incentive Scheme has been set up in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Dutch universities.
Further information about the researchers (including contact details) can be obtained from the Information and Communication Department, NWO, tel. 31-703-440-713, fax 31-703-850-971, e-mail: voorlichting@nwo.nl
Further information about the policy behind the Innovational Research Incentive Scheme can be obtained from Anko Wiegel (Central Programmes and Institutions, NWO), tel. 31-703-440-644, fax 31-703-440-620, e-mail: wiegel@nwo.nl, Internet:www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls
Names and descriptions of earlier grants can be found at: www.nwo.nl/wetenschapsplein