ECHO Project Grants

ECHO project grants are 260,000 euro project grants for Excellent CHemical research (Onderzoek). The grants offer the opportunity to carry out a high quality science driven research project. In this way a challenging scientific idea can be pursued, a new research area can be opened up or a scientific innovation can be established.

ECHO-STIP grants (260.000 euro) should strengthen the (bio-) chemical / chemical technological research in the established chemical centers of excellence (“chemische zwaartepunten”). These grants are financed from the budget released via the “Sectorplan Natuur- en Scheikunde”. Only researchers who have been appointed recently to a “Sectorplan” position in an established chemical center of excellence can apply for an ECHO-STIP grant.

Who can apply

Group leaders (assistant, associate or full professors) at a Dutch university or NWO approved research institute can apply.

More information on the terms and conditions for application is found in the Call for Proposals.

What can be applied for

• ECHO project grants or ECHO-STIP grants up to 260,000 euro;
• Grants can be used to finance personnel, consumables and equipment related to the proposed research.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting applications was 28 September 2011

Extra Information

Several extra terms and conditions apply to the ECHO granting scheme:

• Scientists who are entitled to apply in the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (Vernieuwingsimpuls) Veni or Vidi cannot apply for a regular ECHO grant.
• A researcher who submitted a full proposal to one of the NWO divisions in the Vici round 2011 cannot apply for a regular TOP grant or ECHO project grant with CW.
• Only researchers who have been appointed recently to a “Sectorplan” position in an established chemical center of excellence can apply for an ECHO-STIP grant.
• Between 1 July 2011 and 1 January 2012 a researcher may submit only one application either for a TOP grant, for an ECHO project grant or for an ECHO-STIP grant.
• At least two-third of the total number of personnel positions financed by NWO grants should be occupied.

The specific conditions that apply upon granting of an ECHO project grant or of an ECHO-STIP grant are are available on this website (top right, in Dutch only). The NWO general terms and conditions apply unless these specific conditions or the TOP/ECHO Call for proposals, subsidy round 2011-2012 provide otherwise.

Most answers to questions concerning ECHO project grants can be found on this website (top right).

Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Fit with research in CW
2. Scientific merits
3. Innovative character

The criteria are specified in the Call for Proposals. The Call can be downloaded from this website.

Procedure

The proposals will be assessed in a peer review procedure by (inter)national reviewers and ranked by one of the juries. The Division Board will decide on granting in April/May 2012.

Committees

Each of CW's three focus areas has one or more juries. The study teams will nominate candidates for membership of the juries, from which the Division Board will constitute appropriate juries. A jury ranks the proposals for TOP grants and ECHO project grants/ECHO-STIP grants within the focus area. The composition of the jury of the 2010- 2011 round is available on this website (top right).

Budget

A budget of approximately 10 Million euro is available for TOP grants, ECHO project grants and ECHO-STIP grants together.

Financiers

NWO Division for Chemical Sciences

Contacts

• Dr. M.M.E. (Margot) Snel
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 07 58, e-mail: m.snel@nwo.nl
• Dr. V.V. (Varsha) Kapoerchan
  phone: +31 (0)70 349 44 42, e-mail: v.kapoerchan@nwo.nl