43 scientists receive Vici grants
What are effective prevention strategies for anxiety and depression in young people? How do we develop batteries for laptops that can be charged in under a minute? These are 2 of the 43 research projects of scientists who have been awarded a Vici grant. Each researcher receives a maximum of one and a half million euros.
The grant is an incentive for adventurous, talented and groundbreaking researchers. The Vici grant enables researchers to develop an innovative line of research and expand a research group over the next five years. Vici is one of the largest personal scientific grants in the Netherlands and is aimed at advanced researchers. The funding instrument allows recipients to conduct research of their choice, thus giving innovative scientific research a boost.
From stem cell research to climate research
The scientists are conducting research into a wide range of subjects. What are the different perceptions of climate change among people? Group interviews and quantitative methods should provide more insight into this. These insights can drive the development of more legitimate, inclusive and effective campaigns and policy measures.
Another study is looking at how different movement patterns of sperm cells interact with an egg cell. Better insight into these processes can enhance reproductive technologies and contribute to the development of male contraceptives.
How can stem cells save kidney development in premature babies? Every year in the Netherlands, more than 11,000 children are born prematurely. The kidneys are not yet fully developed, but they suddenly have to start working and kidney damage can occur. To prevent this, researchers are investigating how stem cells can support kidney development and whether medication can prevent kidney damage from occurring.
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Dr Anne C. Rios, Prinses Maxima Centrum
Stirring T cell behavior towards effective killing of brain cancer
T cells, fighter cells of the immune system, can be engineered to recognize and destroy tumor cells. Their dynamic nature is crucial yet unexploited in enhancing their therapeutic potential. This project will leverage cutting-edge imaging technologies to study the behavior of these T cells in patient-representative models of a deadly brain tumor in children. By observing their actions under the microscope and identifying new targets that govern T cell behavior, researchers aim to discover the most potent therapies and sharpen their cancer targeting abilities. The ultimate goal is to develop a powerful T cell therapy to combat this life-threatening brain cancer.Prof. Judith C. Sluimer, Maastricht Universiteit
Resetting perivascular cell function rejuvenates aged vasculature
Ageing of the vasculature, for which there is no treatment, accelerates cardiovascular disease. Until now research and therapies have only focussed on the inner layers of the vasculature to delay vascular ageing. However, the first signs of ageing occur in the perivascular layer. The investigator aims to adapt the function of cells in the perivascular layer to delay vascular ageing. She expects this study will yield new treatment options for vascular ageing and delay cardiovascular disease.Dr Chun X. Yi, Amsterdam UMC
Unravelling microglial obesogenic memory underlying body weight rebound to combat obesity
Weight regain after weight loss poses a major obstacle in obesity treatment. This research explores how microglia in the brains of obese individuals store an "obesogenic memory," affecting neurons that regulate food intake and body weight, ultimately driving weight regain once treatments are discontinued. The pathways identified in this process will be validated in human brain cells, offering new insights that could pave the way for more effective antiobesity therapies.Prof. Michiel F. Schreuder, Radboudumc
Better kidneys after preterm birth – the PREKID project
Every year, more than 11,000 children in the Netherlands are born preterm. At that time, kidneys are not yet fully formed, but must suddenly start working. This results in the development of the kidney being cut short, with subsequent high blood pressure and damage to the kidneys as an adult. To prevent this, researchers will investigate whether stem cells can salvage kidney development, and whether medicines can steer the path away from kidney damage.Prof. Odile A. van den Heuvel, Amsterdam UMC
(re)shaping the compulsive brain
How the brain shapes during development contributes to the risk to develop obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviours. Chronic symptoms, by the power of repetition, can also shape the involved brain circuits. The brain is ‘plastic’. By intensive behavioural therapy and magnetic brain stimulation, we can ‘re-shape’ the brain. Since everybody (including their brain) is different, the treatment effect will be best, when optimally aligned to the profile of the individual.Prof. Joost Wiersinga, Amsterdam UMC
Stopping sepsis before it strikes: from treatment to prevention
Every infection can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening organ failure caused by a dysregulated immune system response to invading bacteria and viruses. Mortality is high, and aside from antibiotics and antiviral medication, no specific treatment exists for sepsis. The focus of this project is to gain a better understanding of the transition from uncomplicated infections to sepsis, in order to prevent sepsis. The future approach to treating sepsis can be shifted from treatment to prevention.Prof. Niels P. Riksen, Radboudumc
Preventing recurrent heart attacks
Of all people that suffer a heart attack, approximately ten percent will have another heart attack or stroke within the next two years. This project investigates what mechanisms are responsible for this high recurrence risk. The project will study in particular the role of the immune defense system in triggering heart attacks. With the results of this project, doctors can better predict which patients will suffer another heart attack. Also, the results will help to develop new treatments to reduce this risk.Dr Stefan Nierkens, UMC Utrecht, Prinses Maxima Centrum
A ‘bloody good host’: the thymus as the driver of successful hematopoietic cell transplantation in children
Children with hard-to-treat leukemia or immune or metabolic disorders can receive a stem cell transplant from a healthy donor as a last resort. Unfortunately, this is effective in only half of them. Evidence suggests that children whose immune cells recover quickly have a better chance of survival than those whose cells are slow to recover. We are investigating which factors are responsible for the rapid recovery of transplanted immune cells, with particular attention to the surprising role the thymus plays in this process. Fast recovery of the thymus might improve survival rates after a stem cell transplant.
Facts and figures
The Vici grants are awarded annually by the NWO. A total of 369 pre-applications were submitted (of which 140 were from women and 229 from men). Of these, 130 applications were submitted (48 by women and 82 by men), of which 43 were awarded (16 to women and 27 to men). The award rates in relation to the number of pre-registrations submitted for the Vici round 2024 are: 11 percent for women (16 out of 140) and 12 percent for men (27 out of 229). Based on the number of applications submitted, the allocation rate is 33 percent for women (16 out of 48) and 33 percent for men (27 out of 82).
NWO Talent Program
The aim of the NWO Talent Programs is to provide creative space for adventurous, talented, pioneering researchers to do research of their choice, develop their own line of research and further develop their talents. The Vici target group consists of researchers in the stage of consolidation and further development of leadership/research group, for which the Vici can contribute to the development of the researcher in this area. Researchers who are eligible for a Vici grant have academic qualities that clearly exceed the norm and have established leadership and mentoring qualities. The Vici grant is intended to finance scientifically innovative research and thereby give these researchers the opportunity to expand their research group and further develop their chosen line of research.
Online dashboard
NWO is committed to openness and transparency in publicly funded scientific research. That is why we now also publish data on gender and the disciplines of assigned research in an online dashboard. View the dashboard here. The dashboard is being further developed, with ZonMw data added soon and an English version becoming available.