Pre-announcement call for proposals NWA Building blocks for integrated policy on Planetary Health

Global environmental changes pose a threat to human health. Conversely, human healthcare is changing the global environment, through the release of greenhouse gases, for example. Planetary health is a research concept that explores the connection between the health of the planet, nature and people. This connection is highly complex, and important to consider in existing and new policies. Dutch government policy measures currently do not take sufficient account of their impact on planetary health. An integrated approach is needed that allows policies to be assessed for their combined impact on the planet, nature and people.

This call for proposals is aimed at developing an approach that can be used to ensure that Dutch government policy more comprehensively considers the intended and unintended impact of that policy on both human health and the global environment. The focus is on developing a widely applicable approach for Planetary Health Impact Assessment (PHIA). It is anticipated that this approach will build upon existing frameworks for Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). These are previously developed methods to assess the impact of policy measures on human health and the environment.

Applications can be jointly submitted by knowledge institutions and civil society organisations. Grant applications can be submitted for up to € 2.86 million in total, with a 5-year maximum term. It is anticipated that a maximum of 1 grant application will be awarded in this funding round.

Prior to full application submission, 2 collaborative workshops will take place. The main applicant should attend both workshops, or arrange for a substitute to attend in their place, and coordinate this with ZonMw/NWO. The workshops will take place on June 2 and 18, 2025 from 12.30 - 5.30 PM at the Social Impact Factory Vredenburg, Utrecht. (dates added on April 10, 2025)

The aim of the workshops is for participants to exchange ideas and form consortia together. There is no need for any consortium to be formed in advance. The workshops are open to all, and civil society organisations are expressly invited to attend. Further information on how to sign up for the workshops will be announced at a later time.

This call for proposals is part of the NWA programme ‘Building blocks for integrated policy on Planetary Health’. ZonMw is administering this programme in partnership with the Dutch Research Council (NWO) on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

The deadline for submission of full applications is 2.00 PM on 11 November 2025. More information on applicable terms and conditions will follow when the call for proposals is opened to submissions following the collaborative workshops.

Citizens are at the heart of creating and renewing the Dutch Research Agenda. The link between society and science is a key element of the NWA programme. Governments, researchers, civil society organisations and citizens work together to develop and use knowledge to achieve scientific and societal impact. And through science communication, knowledge is shared in society to increase engagement and trust in science.