Vidi is a funding instrument from the NWO Talent Programme. The Vidi target group consists of excellent researchers (up to 8 years after obtaining their PhD) with a striking and original talent and a great fascination for doing challenging and groundbreaking research. The focus is on innovative and curiosity-driven research.
Who can apply
The Vidi target group consists of researchers in transition to leadership, i.e. ready for the establishment of a research group or the expansion of a recent research group. The Vidi can contribute to the researcher's development in this area. The Vidi grant is aimed at researchers with academic qualities that clearly exceed what is customary and demonstrate the development of leadership and mentorships skills.
Researchers who have completed a PhD, whether based in the Netherlands or abroad, are allowed to submit an application. Researchers are eligible to apply if they obtained their PhD during the eight years preceding the reference date for this funding round, 1 October 2026. In certain circumstances, this eligibility period may be extended (see Section 3.2.1).
What for
The aim of the NWO Talent Programme 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 talent.
The Vidi grant is designed to fund scientifically innovative research and to provide these researchers with the opportunity to establish or expand a research group. Researchers who are significantly further along in their careers—such as those with extensive experience in leading a research group—no longer fall within the Vidi target group. This will be taken into account in the assessment of the researcher's quality. Fit with the target group is one of the aspects evaluated under this criterion (see Section 4.1).
What to request
A maximum of € 850,000 can be applied for within this Call for proposals. The maximum duration of the proposed project is five years. If the proposed research is of shorter duration, the maximum amount will be reduced accordingly. It is also possible to carry out the research part-time without extending the duration of the project.
When
You can submit your pre-proposal via Mijn ZonMw portal until 3 November 2026, 14:00:00 PM CET. The Mijn ZonMw online portal will be open for submissions from 3 September 2026.
Timeline:
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Deadline for pre-proposals | 3 November 2026, Before 14:00:00 CET |
| The assessment committee reviews pre-proposals | November – December 2026 |
| Applicants receive the committee’s preliminary advice on whether or not to write a full proposal based on the submitted pre-proposal | January 2027 |
| Opportunity to request correction of a factual inaccuracy in a negative provisional recommendation | End January 2027 |
| Decision by the Domain Board | End February 2027 |
| Deadline for full proposals | 6 April 2027, Before 14:00:00 CEST |
| Proposals are reviewed by external referees | April – May 2027 |
| Rebuttal (optional) | May – June 2027 |
| Pre-assessment by the assessment committee | June – July 2027 |
| Interview selection meeting | July 2027 |
| Interviews | September 2027 |
| Assessment committee meeting | September 2027 |
| Decision by the Domain Board | End October 2027 |
All the documents needed for your application can be found below.
Relevante informatie
General background information
Embedding guarantee
Since 2019 on NWO has asked candidates for an 'embedding guarantee' from the start of the application round for NWO Talent Programme Vidi funding. Researchers can only submit applications for Vidi funding with the support of the Dutch institution where they intend to conduct their research. It is expected to lead to fewer applications and to be more consistent with the research institutions’ personnel policy.
Optional literature list
As of 2023, the Vidi uses an optional literature list of max. ten pieces of relevant scientific literature closely related to your research idea. NWO will use the literature list - along with your research idea, key words and specified discipline(s) - to search for potential external reviewers for your full proposal. Your literature list will not be submitted to the committee.
Frequently asked questions
On this page you will find an overview of the most frequently asked questions about the NWO Talent Programme, including questions about the set time limit to submit a proposal (and any exceptions to it) and the embedding guarantee.
Downloads voor uw aanvraag
- Bestand
- Bestand
Checklist for submitting your full proposal application:
- Create an account in Mijn ZonMw
- Write the application in English.
- The pre-proposal application contains a:
- Evidence Based CV of the applicant, consisting of:
- A description of the applicant’s academic profile;
- A description of up to 10 key output items, each accompanied by a brief explanation;
- A concise research idea
- Mandatory attachment: signed embedding guarantee
- Evidence Based CV of the applicant, consisting of:
The closing date for submission of the full proposal is Tuesday 3 November, 14:00 (CET).
The Mijn ZonMw online portal will be open for submissions from 3 September 2026.
Share this page
Features
- Opening date: 3 September 2026
- Budget subsidy round: € 12.750.000
- Budget per application: € 850.000
- Part of programme: