The Open Technology Programme provides funding for free and unrestricted applied and technical-scientific research without disciplinary boundaries. The programme offers companies and other organizations an accessible way to participate in scientific research that is intended to have societal and/or scientific impact.

Purpose

The Open Technology Programme (OTP) aims to stimulate free and unrestricted applied and technical-scientific research within the scope of the NWO Domain AES. The programme is characterised by the absence of disciplinary boundaries and promotes research that leads to societal and/or scientific impact. Researchers can, depending on the nature and objectives of their research, decide for themselves whether the focus is on scientific impact, societal impact, or a combination of both. Collaboration with relevant knowledge users from the public and/or private sectors is a key feature of the OTP, allowing for increased application of research results and impact opportunities. The OTP is specifically intended for research activities and is not intended for applications predominantly focus on other activities, such as investments, contract research or clinical trials.

Who can apply

Researchers 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 following research organisations:

• universities as referred to in Article 1.8 paragraph 1 of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act and universities listed in the Policy Rules for Universities located in the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
• university medical centres by which is meant academic hospitals as referred to in Article 1.13 paragraph 1 of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act;
• institutes affiliated to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) or NWO;
• Netherlands Cancer Institute;
• the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen;
• Naturalis Biodiversity Center;
• Advanced Research Centre for NanoLithography (ARCNL);
• Princess Máxima Center.

Persons with a zero-hour employment agreement or with a contract for a limited period of time (other than a tenure track appointment) may not submit a proposal.

What to apply for

Per project, a grant amount of at most €950,000 can be applied for. For projects with an investment character, where more than € 150,000 in investments are requested, a maximum of € 1,050,000 can be applied for. For both projects with and without an investment character, co-funding is required if the total project costs exceed €700,000. The minimum required co-funding is 25% of the project costs above €700,000, with no distinction between co-funding in cash or in kind.

The maximum duration of the proposed project is 6 year. The applicant and co-applicants can include costs for personnel, equipment, investments and knowledge utilisation. Apply only for funding that is vital to realise the project.

When to apply

Applications can be submitted on a continuous basis between 13 January 2025 until 12 December 2025, as long as the grant ceiling or the maximum number of applications submitted has not yet been reached.