Little is known of the effects of micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNP) on human health while levels of MNP in the environment are increasing. The ZonMw Microplastics & Health programme aims to develop knowledge of the potential health consequences of MNP, and to identify solutions.
Who can apply
This call for proposals is on invitation. ZonMw invites prof. dr. ir. J. (Juliette) Legler (Utrecht University) – who is leading the collaboration between the ongoing projects – to initiate and submit a single grant application as main applicant on behalf of the ongoing research projects* in the ZonMw Microplastics & Health programme. The partners in MOMENTUM-NL will form a new consortium, that may include current and new additional partners.
*The 8 ongoing projects, ending around July 31, 2025, are MOMENTUM 2.0 and the 7 breakthrough projects.
What for
This call for proposals concerns funding for knowledge development in the field of microplastics and health. The current call for proposals is aimed at the continuation of specific areas of ongoing research. The knowledge development should focus on understanding the level and health risks of exposure to MNP and the effectiveness of intervention options to reduce exposure and risk. This knowledge provides the basis for further research and a perspective for action. The grant application should build on the ongoing projects in the ZonMw Microplastics & Health programme, where relevant for the specific aims of this call for proposals.
What to request
The maximum budget that can be requested is € 2,262,000 for 1 project. The project must start no later than December 31, 2025, and must be completed by December 31, 2029. At least 5% of the budget must be allocated for communication and dissemination activities. A maximum of 10% of the budget may be reserved for project management.
When
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Deadline for submitting detailed grant application | September 30, 2025, 14.00 CEST |
| Committee’s comments received | October 27, 2025 |
| Deadline for submitting a rebuttal | November 10, 2025, 14.00 CET |
| Interview meeting | November 17, 2025 |
| Decision | End of November 2025 |
| Latest start date | December 31, 2025 |
An interview is part of the review process for your grant application. An audio recording will be made of the interview. At the end of the review process, the audio recording will be deleted.
You can find all the documents you need for your application here. You can submit your grant application via the digital portal My ZonMw until September 30, 2025, 14.00 CEST.
- General Terms and Conditions Governing Grants of ZonMw
- Applying for funding in 10 steps
- What must I submit?
- Conditions and obligations
- The assessment
- Grants and collaborative third-party contributions
- State aid exemption
- Data management and FAIR data
- Open Access
- Implementation and impact
- Mijn ZonMw manuals
- Statement of approval for submission of a detailed grant application
- Programme page Microplastics & Health
Downloads for your application
- Bestand
- Bestand
- Bestand
Checklist for applying for your grant:
- Do you already have an account on My ZonMw?
- Sign the statement agreeing to submit elaborate grant application and attach
- Attach an Excel budget
- Write the application in English
- The following annexes are mandatory:
- Letters of Commitment of each project party or sponsor (see Section 3.1.3);
- A declaration of qualifying as a research organisation is required for organisations (other than universities and university medical centres) that apply for funding. These must declare on what grounds they qualify as such under the EU definition of a research organisation within the state aid framework. This declaration may be included in their Letter of Commitment;
- A project budget in ZonMw DAEB format (see Section 3.1.4);
- Consortium budget specification (see Section 3.1.4);
- The following optional annexes may be added:
- Maximum 10 sheets of A4 size with figures and tables;
- The Grant conditions and Finances page of the ZonMw website explains which conditions your grant application must meet.
Share this page
Features
- Opening date: 22 July 2025
- Budget subsidy round: 2.26 million euro
- Budget per application: € 2.262.000
-
For whom:
By invitation
- Part of programme: