The Netherlands Polar Programme invites researchers in to submit proposals in the themes Climate Change and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Arctic region. Funding is available for consortia and starters. Both types of projects must collaborate with researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Germany.

Purpose

The purpose is to fund excellent scientific research that aligns with either themes ‘Climate change’ or ‘Ecosystem dynamics’ of PolePosition-NL 3.0, the strategy of the Netherlands Polar Programme. There are two types of funding. Type 1 (consortia) applications serve to strengthen polar research across multiple institutions, while type 2 (ECR) applicants serve to stimulate young talent.

Applicants can choose to focus on fundamental scientific impact, societal impact or a combination. Proposals must also establish links with the strategy of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Consortia should include researchers from AWI, and may include additional partners.

Who can apply

Type 1 (Consortia): Full, associate and assistant professors and other researchers with a comparable position may submit an application if they have a tenured position (and therefore a paid position for an indefinite period) or a tenure track agreement at one of the organisations mentioned in the Call for Proposals. Main applicants at TO2 institutions are also possible, but the institution needs to be assessed for compliance with the NWO Grant Rules before submission of the proposal.

Type 2 (ECR grants): researchers may submit an application if they have a tenured position, a tenure track agreement, or – with an embedding guarantee – a fixed agreement (and therefore a paid position) at the organisations mentioned in the Call for proposals. Please note that applicants cannot apply for funding of the salary for their own position.

Consortium building

Consortia are mandatory in type 1 applications. At least one co-applicant from a different Dutch institution than the main applicant is mandatory. Co-applicants from AWI are also possible. Non-standard institutions, such as public knowledge organisations and TO2 institutions, may also be admitted as co-applicant after an assessment of their compliance with the NWO Grant Rules prior to the deadline of full proposals. Co-applicants at AWI are also allowed, and other foreign research organisations may also be possible.

Cooperation partners may join applications of both types. AWI must join each application as either co-applicant (type 1) or cooperation partner (type 1 or 2).