Brochure Innovational Research Incentives Scheme

(Vernieuwingsimpuls)

- VENI - - VIDI - - VICI -

2003 Round Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

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Contents 1. The new-style Innovational research Incentives Scheme 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Aims 1.3 Three target groups: VENI, VIDI, VICI 1.4 Position of women researchers 1.5 Institutions 1.6 Funding 1.7 Selection procedure 1.8 Further information 1.9 Contact point for complaints and committee for objections and appeals 2. VENI scheme 2.1 Target group 2.2 Application procedure 2.3 Criteria 2.4 Institutional guarantees 2.5 Funding 2.6 Timetable 3. VIDI scheme 3.1 Target group 3.2 Application procedure 3.3 Criteria 3.4 Institutional guarantees 3.5 Funding 3.6 Timetable 4. VICI scheme 4.1 Target group 4.2 Application procedure 4.3 Criteria 4.4 Institutional guarantees 4.5 Funding 4.6 Timetable 5. University address list The original Dutch-language text of the brochure is the authoritative version. Where the English-language text is open to a different interpretation, no additional rights may be derived from it.

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1. The new-style Innovational Research Incentives Scheme ‘Veni, vidi, vici’ means ‘I came, I saw, I conquered'. It is a quotation from a note sent by the famous Roman general Julius Caesar to notify the Senate of his lightning victory over Pontus (in 47 BC). 1.1 Introduction With regard to the advancement of science, the primary mission of the universities is to conduct fundamental and strategic research. Fundamental research is pioneering research which opens up new fields of study, explores new avenues providing surprising new ways of looking at apparently well-known territory, or creates new knowledge by linking insights from different disciplines. The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Association of Dutch Universities (VSNU) and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) wholeheartedly support the view of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (expressed in the Science Budget 2000) that innovatory research of this kind requires extra encouragement. This is why NWO, KNAW and the universities joined forces to set up the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. Following the first two selection rounds, it has been decided considerably to expand the scheme from 2002 onwards. The new-style Innovational Research Incentives Scheme is directed at providing encouragement for individual researchers at various stages of their careers*. The aim is to offer researchers attractive career prospects within academia. In view of the imminent prospect of large numbers of university posts falling vacant as their present holders retire, it is vital to the universities that talented researchers should enter the profession and remain committed to it. For this reason, two main purposes of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme are to provide the scope for adventurous pioneering researchers to conduct creative research of their own choice and to encourage them to continue their careers in the academic research field. Under current agreements, the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme will continue at any rate until the end of 2007. It will include three forms of grant (VENI, VIDI and VICI) and there will be at least one selection round a year for each of them. In 2008 and 2009 the Scheme will include only one form of grant (VENI). Changes in the procedures may be introduced from year to year, depending (for example) on the results of interim evaluations. This section outlines the main features of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. More specific information about the three different forms of grant (target groups, procedures and rules) can be found elsewhere in the brochure. The brochure applies to the period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003. 1.2 Aims

* In this brochure, the term 'researchers' refers to people of either sex.

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The aim of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme is to promote innovation in the academic research field. Its key purpose is to ensure that creative and talented researchers are given the opportunity to conduct their own research and so gain entry to or promotion within institutions conducting academic research in the Netherlands. 1.3 Three target groups: VENI, VIDI and VICI The target group for the scheme are outstanding young individuals of exceptional talent and originality who have a great enthusiasm for the conduct of challenging, ground-breaking research. Their ideas may be unorthodox and contrary to the current trend. Because they are by definition high-risk, the success of the research cannot be assured. In view of the purpose of the Incentives Scheme, it is obviously essential that candidates should have the ability to formulate and conduct a research programme independently. This implies that they will already have proved their abilities in the field of research in one way or another. The Innovational Research Incentives Scheme targets the very best available research talent; successful candidates will be among the top 10-20% of their peer group. They will also be expected to have the capacity to persuade others of the originality and potential of their ideas. Applications maybe submitted by candidates with or without a permanent contract of employment, irrespective of geographical origin. Appointments must be realised at one or other of the host research institutions (see under 1.5). The Innovational Research Incentives Scheme comprises three forms of grant directed at three different stages in researchers' academic careers. • VENI grants

This form of grant offers researchers who have only recently completed their doctorates the opportunity to develop their ideas over a further three years in the Netherlands or to some extent abroad. The maximum amount of grant will be € 200,000 for a period of three years. A total of approx. 80 VENI awards can be made during each round, spread over all fields of study.

� The next deadline for the submission of VENI applications is 1 May 2003. • VIDI grants

This form of grant is targeted at researchers who have completed their doctorates and already spent some years conducting post-doctoral research in the Netherlands or abroad, thereby demonstrating the ability to generate new ideas and bring them independently to fruition. They will be given the opportunity to develop their own innovative lines of research and themselves to appoint one or more researchers to assist them in the task. The maximum amount of grant will be € 600,000 for a period of five years. A total of approx. 75 VIDI awards can be made during the 2003 round, spread over all fields of study.

� The next deadline for the submission of VIDI applications is 19 February 2003. • VICI grants

This form of grant is directed at senior researchers who have shown that they have the ability

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successfully to develop their own innovative lines of research and to act as coaches for young researchers. They will be enabled to build up their own research teams, often in advance of a regular professorial appointment. Their lines of research will be given a structural place within the research institution. The maximum amount of grant will be € 1,250,000 for a period of five years. A total of approx. 25 VICI awards can be made during the 2003 round, spread over all fields of study.

� The next deadline for the submission of VICI pre-proposals is 2 April 2003. 1.4 Position of women researchers Women are especially urged to apply. Women are currently under-represented in the academic world, especially in senior posts. NWO, KNAW and the universities wish to take action to change this situation. The host institutions will strive to encourage women to submit applications so that the percentage of female applicants is at least equal to that of women researchers in the target group. NWO guarantees that the average success rate for female candidates, taken over the whole period of the scheme, will be at least equal to that for male candidates. Participate in VICI! Participation by women in the 2002 round of the VICI scheme was extremely low (13%). For the 2003 round, the host institutions have set a target of 25% female applicants per institution. Women wishing to apply for VICI grants are therefore urged to act as quickly as possible in notifying the Board of the relevant host institution of their intention to participate in this round (see address list in this brochure). 1.5 Institutions The potential host institutions are the 13 Dutch universities whose terms of reference include the conduct of research (Erasmus University, Rotterdam; University of Tilburg; University of Nijmegen; University of Groningen; Delft University of Technology; Eindhoven University of Technology; Wageningen University and Research Centre; University of Twente; University of Leiden; University of Maastricht; University of Utrecht; University of Amsterdam; Free University of Amsterdam) plus the Transnational University of Limburg, the KNAW and NWO research institutes, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Tilburg Theological Faculty, the theological universities at Utrecht, Kampen and Apeldoorn, and the University for Humanist Studies. 1.6 Funding The subsidies will be funded jointly by the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, NWO and the host institutions. Different costs will qualify for funding under the various schemes (see sections on individual grant forms for exact details), and the proposed budget must be approved by NWO. NWO will fund up to 67.6% of the overall budget - subject to the maximum amount set for the particular form of grant. In each case, the contribution of the host institution will be equal to 32.4% of the budget awarded to the project. The institution will add these resources to the sum allocated by NWO following acceptance of the project.

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In addition, each form of grant will be subject to different conditions concerning advance agreements with the intended host institution and the extent of commitment to be shown by it. Details of these conditions can be found in the sections on individual grant forms. 1.7 Selection procedure

Candidates will be assessed in a nationwide competition organised and conducted by NWO. On receipt, applications will be screened by the NWO secretariat to ensure that they comply with the formal requirements of the scheme and that they qualify for consideration for the relevant form of grant. Thereafter, the processing and selection of the applications will be the responsibility of the NWO councils or - in the case of proposals which cut across their fields of study - of the NWO Governing Board. The selection procedure will be as follows:

1. Submission of proposals Candidates will submit their proposals directly to NWO, stating which Council should deal with the application.

2. Screening for acceptability (compliance with formal requirements) To qualify for consideration under the selection procedure, applications must comply with a number of formal requirements. On receipt, applications will be examined to ensure that they do so. Only applications judged to be "acceptable" will go forward for possible selection. Acceptance is subject to the following conditions:

a. Applications must be submitted by individual researchers (not, for example, by pairs or teams of researchers).

b. Each candidate: • may submit no more than one application for any of the forms of grant in any

given round; • may apply for no more than one of the forms of grant in any given calendar year; • may submit applications (VENI, VIDI) or pre-proposals (VICI) no more than three

times for any form of grant **. c. In addition, the following restrictions apply to researchers who have previously

received grants under the old or new-style Innovational Research Incentives Scheme or the PIONIER programme.

• No researcher who has already received a particular form of grant ** may apply again for a grant of the same kind.

** In this respect, an application/grant under the old-style Innovational Research Incentives Scheme will be regarded as equivalent to a VIDI application, while an application/grant under the PIONIER programme will be regarded as equivalent to a VICI application.

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• Any researcher in receipt of a current award under the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme** must wait until the penultimate year of that award before applying for another form of grant under the scheme.

3A. Short-listing (VENI and VIDI procedure) If extremely large numbers of VENI or VIDI grant applications are received, Councils will be entitled to operate a short-listing procedure based solely on the detailed applications. This may only be done if the number of applications is at least five times the number of grants available. In such circumstances, it will be difficult to find and consult sufficient referees and the chances of success will be very low for many of the applicants. The short-listing procedure was used for the first time during the 2002 round. Where a Council decides to use it, applicants will be notified of this in the procedural details accompanying the letter confirming receipt of application. All the applications will then be discussed and compared by a broad-based selection committee, which will rate them in terms of their chances of success. Those applicants judged least likely to be awarded a grant will be notified that they have not been short-listed for further consideration. They will then have an opportunity to respond to the committee's views. If persuaded by an applicant's response, the committee may decide to short-list the relevant application after all. Otherwise, a formal decision will be taken, against which the applicant may choose to appeal. In that case, the independent objections and appeals committee will hold a hearing to examine the matter. 3B. Pre-proposals (VICI procedure) The VICI procedure invariably involves pre-proposals. It is quite different from the optional short-listing method available in relation to VENI and VIDI applications. VICI pre-proposals are not detailed applications. The pre-proposals are discussed and compared by a broad-based selection committee, which then rates them in terms of their chances of success without making use of external referees. The applicants most likely to be successful are invited to prepare detailed applications and submit them by a particular date. The remaining candidates are firmly advised not to pursue their applications. There is no avenue of formal objection or appeal. 4. Consulting of referees and responses of candidates (right of reply) The detailed applications are submitted to external referees for their consideration. Their views are later sent to the candidate in anonymous form and he/she has the opportunity to respond to them. 5. Interview (selection) If large numbers of applications are received, interviews need not necessarily be held with all candidates. The committee may decide to create a provisional short-list of the most promising candidates, based on the views of the referees and the responses of the candidates. Only they will be invited for interview. 6. Formulation of recommendations by the committee Following the interviews, the committee will reach its recommendations. These will be submitted to the relevant Council or (in the case of cross-disciplinary proposals) directly to the Governing

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Board of NWO. Since the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme is focused on individuals, the emphasis in assessing the applications will be placed on the appraisal of the personal academic talents and potential of the researcher and the extent to which he/she satisfies the target group criteria for the particular grant form (VENI, VIDI or VICI). Only those proposals ultimately rated 'very good' or 'excellent' will be regarded as worthy of grant. 7. Decision by the Council/ Governing Board of NWO The Council will select the candidates to be awarded grants and submit the list to the Governing Board. Experience has shown that budgetary restrictions are such that awards can be made to only a limited number of the proposals judged worthy of grant. The final decision rests with the Governing Board. Once it has spoken, the award decisions are notified to the candidates and boards of intended host institutions. 8. Practical arrangements and reporting Once the Governing Board has announced its decision, practical arrangements have to be made for each award. The successful candidate will be given a contract of employment with the host institution of his/her choice and arrangements will be agreed for reporting on progress and final results. Provided sufficient applications of the desired quality are available, each selection round will lead to awards being made to approx. 80 candidates for VENI grants, approx. 75 candidates for VIDI grants and approx. 25 candidates for VICI grants, spread over all fields of study. (These figures are provisional: numbers of applications and the wishes of the NWO councils may lead to changes in the balance of awards between the different forms of grants.) 1.8 Further information

The latest information about the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme can be found on its website, together with answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Candidates are advised to check the website before contacting NWO. Any other questions about the various forms of grant available under the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme can be addressed - preferably by e-mail - to the scheme's central coordinator at NWO. The coordinator will not, however, deal with criticisms or complaints about procedural matters. These must be submitted in writing to the contact point (see under 1.9). NWO - Innovational Research Incentives Scheme/vernieuwingsimpuls P.O. Box 93138, 2509 AC THE HAGUE The Netherlands website: www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls E-mail: vi@nwo.nl Tel: +31-70-3440940 (10 a.m. - 12 noon only) 1.9 Contact point for complaints and committee for objections and appeals

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• Contact point for complaints NWO has established a contact point for candidates' criticisms or complaints concerning the operation or result of procedures for the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. Criticisms may concern either NWO or the universities or institutes and must be submitted in writing, preferably by e-mail (meldpunt@nwo.nl). They will be dealt with by a member of staff who is not directly involved in the procedures. The contact point has no formal powers to intervene, but can mediate on behalf of candidates if asked to do so. In addition, it collects information on the implementation of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme for use in the evaluation of the programme. • Committee for objections and appeals Where appropriate, candidates can use the existing objection and appeal procedures to lodge formal objections or appeals against decisions made under the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. They will then be invited to attend a hearing of the committee for objections and appeals. Further information about the objections and appeals procedure can be obtained from the committee Secretary, Ms L. van der Valk , tel. 070-3440737, e-mail valk@nwo.nl.

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2. VENI grants

2.1 Target group This form of grant is directed at researchers who have recently obtained their doctorates and are starting out on their careers, but who have already demonstrated an outstanding talent for academic research. Successful candidates will be among the top 10-20% of their peer group. VENI grants are specifically intended to give them the freedom to spend time doing research, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Please note! Candidates must normally have completed their doctorates in the last 3 years (calculated from the date on which the doctorate was formally awarded to the deadline for the relevant round of VENI grant applications). NWO may, however, relax this 3-year deadline in the case of individual candidates who have taken extended sick, parental, maternity or care leave within that period, or who have combined a part-time research appointment with care responsibilities or training in a clinical specialism. Further information about the relaxation of the deadline is provided in the notes accompanying the application form. 2.2 Application procedure • Electronic submission Proposals must comply with the requirements (as stated in this brochure) and must be submitted electronically to NWO in the prescribed format. Forms for the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme can be downloaded from the NWO website (http://www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls) from 1 November 2002 on. They must be submitted using the IRIS system, which can be accessed via the NWO website. Applications must be written in English and must include: – The candidate's curriculum vitae and list of publications. – An outline of the research proposal (not exceeding 2000 words, excluding bibliographical references). – Cost estimates. Any application by a candidate who has not yet been awarded a doctorate must be accompanied by a declaration by the manuscript committee that the manuscript of the thesis has been approved. (This should preferably be submitted in pdf format, together with the application in electronic form.) • Postal submission Candidates for VENI grants need not necessarily have obtained guarantees of institutional integration prior to the submission of their applications (see 2.4), unless the budget exceeds the maximum grant available under the scheme (see 2.5). They are, however, advised to contact the

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board of the preferred host institution as soon as possible. In due course, the signed guarantee from the relevant institution can be sent by the candidate to NWO by post, marked for the attention of the Council dealing with the application. Standard forms for guarantees of institutional integration can be downloaded from the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme website. N.B. Copies of publications and letters of recommendation (other than letters expressing financial/material commitments) are not required! Postal address: NWO/Vernieuwingsimpuls Attn. Council for (please specify) P.O. Box 93138 2509 AC The Hague 2.3 Criteria

Candidates and their research proposals will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Quality of the researcher: - Membership of VENI target group. – Proven research skills demonstrated by the applicant's doctoral thesis, publications and/or other relevant achievements in the field. – Clear indications that the applicant possesses an outstanding talent for academic research and is among the top 10-20% of his/her peer group. – Inspiring enthusiasm for research or technology. – Persuasiveness. Innovative nature of the proposed research: – Originality of the topic. – Innovative elements. – Potential to make a major contribution to the advancement of science or technology. NB. Applications in the Technical Sciences field (to be assessed by STW) must include a separate section on utilisation specifying the potential of the proposed research to contribute to the advancement of technology. The requirements for this utilisation section are stated on the website (www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls). Quality of the research proposal: – Challenging content. – Suitability of proposed method. 2.4 Institutional guarantees Detailed arrangements do not necessarily need to be agreed between the candidate and the intended host institution prior to submission, nor is it obligatory for the intended host institution

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to give any commitment regarding the future of the appointment following the period of grant. If the application expresses a preference concerning the identity of the host institution, the candidate should send a copy of it to the board of the institution concerned. The candidate is free to choose a particular host institution, but arrangements for integration within it must be completed before any grant payment is made. The candidate's plans for achieving institutional integration may be a subject of discussion during the selection interviews. 2.5 Funding

The maximum amount of the lump sum*** VENI grants to be awarded will be € 200,000 based on a period of 3 years. This means that NWO will make available a maximum of € 135,200 for each successful VENI application and that the host institution will contribute the remainder. If the proposed research is to be of shorter duration, the maximum amount will be reduced accordingly. Costs which can be covered under the scheme are: – Gross salary of the selected candidate plus up to 70% of that sum to cover the employer's contributions, holiday pay, benchfees, correction for inflation, end-of-project payment etc.). The salary costs must always be included in the budget. NB. If the applicant is to devote no more than 25% of his/her working time to non-research activities (teaching/administration/management), the entire salary may be covered by the grant. If more than this amount of working time is to be spent on such activities, the grant application should relate only to the proportion of working time to be directly devoted to research. – Acquisition costs of materials and equipment or databases. – Travel and subsistence costs associated with attending conferences, visiting other research institutes, etc. – Subsistence costs while working at research institutes outside the Netherlands. – Gross salaries of additional auxiliary staff plus 35% of that sum. N.B. In the case of a VENI grant, the appointment of an additional PhD student or postdoc research assistant is not an option. The budget may exceed the maximum of € 200,000 but NWO's contribution will never be more than € 135,200. Where the budget is greater than € 200,000, the institution (or a third party) must send NWO an authorised letter guaranteeing to meet the additional costs. The letter should be sent by post and timed to coincide with submission of the application.

*** Grants under the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme are not covered by the Regeling Overlaten Werkgeverschap. This means that recipients are not entitled to claim benefits such as additional benchfees or 'end-of-project payments' from NWO. It does not, however, affect the rights of newly appointed staff to any redundancy pay to which they may eventually be entitled from a host institution.

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2.6 Timetable Selection rounds for VENI grants will be held three times in every two years. In 2003 there will be only one round. The timetable for this round will be as follows: 1 May 2003 Deadline for submission of applications to NWO. period to 1 October 2003 Consultations with advisers and exercise of candidates' right of reply. period to mid-November 2003 Interviews. by 1 January 2004 Selection of candidates under the aegis of NWO councils, decision-making by NWO Governing Board and award of grants.

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3. VIDI grants

3.1 Target group This form of grant is targeted at outstanding young researchers who have completed their doctorates and already conducted post-doctoral research for some years, thereby demonstrating the ability to generate new ideas and bring them independently to fruition. They must be deemed capable of developing their own innovative lines of research and of themselves appointing one or more researchers to assist them in the task. Successful candidates will be among the top 10-20% of their peer group. Please note! Candidates can submit proposals in the period beginning 3 years and ending 8 years after they received their doctorates (calculated from the date on which the doctorate was formally awarded to the deadline for the relevant round of VIDI grant applications)****. Professors may not compete for VIDI funding. NWO may, however, relax this 8-year deadline in the case of individual candidates who have taken extended sick, parental, maternity or care leave within that period, or who have combined a part-time research appointment with care responsibilities or training in a clinical specialism. Further information about the relaxation of the deadline is provided in the notes accompanying the application form. 3.2 Application procedure • Electronic submission Proposals must comply with the requirements (as stated in this brochure) and must be submitted electronically to NWO in the prescribed format. Forms for the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme can be downloaded from the NWO website (http://www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls) from 1 November 2002 on. They must be submitted using the IRIS system, which can be accessed via the NWO website. Applications must be written in English and must include: – The candidate's curriculum vitae and list of publications. – An outline of the research proposal (not exceeding 4000 words, excluding bibliographical references). – Cost estimates. • Postal submission The signed guarantee of institutional integration (see 3.4) from the relevant institution must be sent by the candidate to NWO by post, marked for the attention of the Council dealing with the application. This will normally be done before the deadline for submission of applications in the relevant round, but may be done at a later stage if good reasons can be given for the delay, **** The upper limit of 8 years is absolute, while the lower limit of 3 years is advisory. Candidates are urged to observe it but outstanding candidates who received their doctorates less than 3 years ago are not absolutely excluded from submitting a VIDI proposal. They must, however, expect competition for VIDI funding to be fiercer than for VENI grants.

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unless the budget exceeds the maximum grant available under the scheme (see 3.5). Standard forms for guarantees of institutional integration can be downloaded from the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme website. N.B. Copies of publications and letters of recommendation (other than letters expressing financial/material commitments) are not required! Postal address: NWO/Vernieuwingsimpuls Attn. Council for (please specify) P.O. Box 93138 2509 AC The Hague 3.3 Criteria Candidates and their research proposals will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Quality of the researcher: - Membership of VIDI target group. – Proven research skills demonstrated by the applicant's doctoral thesis, publications and/or other relevant achievements in the field. – Demonstrable ability to generate new ideas and bring them independently to fruition and evidence that the applicant is among the top 10-20% of his/her peer group. - An established national and international reputation. – Inspiring enthusiasm for research or technology. – Persuasiveness. - Ability to lead and supervise other researchers and support staff. Innovative nature of the proposed research: – Originality of the topic. – Innovative elements. – Potential to make a major contribution to the advancement of science or technology. NB. Applications in the Technical Sciences field (to be assessed by STW) must include a separate section on utilisation specifying the potential of the proposed research to contribute to the advancement of technology. The requirements for this utilisation section are stated on the website (www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls). Quality of the research proposal: – Challenging content. – Suitability of proposed method. 3.4 Institutional guarantees At the time of the application, the board of the intended host institution will generally be required to give a guarantee concerning the eventual structural integration of the intended

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research into its work. It will also be open to the candidate and the institution to reach agreements at this stage concerning the candidate's career prospects following the period of grant, but this is not obligatory. Where a grant is awarded, the guarantee of structural integration given by the institution will be binding in relation to the definitive agreements made at that time between the candidate and the host institution. This guarantee is not meant to be used as a means of selection by the intended host institution. When applying for a VIDI grant, it is possible to gain temporary dispensation from this requirement for prior guarantees, for example if good reasons can be shown why a host institution cannot yet be identified or why an advance guarantee cannot be obtained at that time. Nevertheless, applicants are advised to contact the board of the intended host institution as soon as possible. Integration arrangements must always have been agreed before any grant payment can be made by NWO. Institutional integration of this kind may be a subject of discussion during the selection interviews. 3.5 Funding

The maximum amount of the lump sum (see footnote ***) VIDI grants to be awarded will be € 600,000 based on a period of 5 years. This means that NWO will make available a maximum of € 405,600 for each successful VIDI application and that the host institution will contribute the remainder. If the proposed research is to be of shorter duration, the maximum amount will be reduced accordingly. Costs which can be covered under the scheme are: – Gross salary of the selected candidate plus up to 70% of that sum (to cover the employer's contributions, holiday pay, benchfees, correction for inflation, end-of-project payment etc.). The salary costs must always be included in the budget. NB. If the applicant is to devote no more than 25% of his/her working time to non-research activities (teaching/administration/management), the entire salary may be covered by the grant. If more than this amount of working time is to be spent on such activities, the grant application should relate only to the proportion of working time to be directly devoted to research. – Acquisition costs of materials and equipment or databases. – Travel and subsistence costs associated with attending conferences and visiting other research institutes. – Gross salaries of additional staff (PhD students, postdocs, technicians) plus 35% of that sum. The budget may exceed the maximum of € 600,000 but NWO's contribution will never be more than € 405,600. Where the budget is greater than € 600,000, the institution (or a third party) must send NWO an authorised letter guaranteeing to meet the additional costs. The letter should be sent by post and timed to coincide with submission of the application. 3.6 Timetable

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A selection round for VIDI grants will be held once a year. The timetable for the next round will be as follows: 19 February 2003 Deadline for submission of applications to NWO. period to mid-June 2003 Consultations with advisers and exercise of candidates' right of reply. period to mid-July 2003 Interviews. by 15 September 2003 Selection of candidates under the aegis of NWO councils, decision-making by NWO Governing Board and award of grants.

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4. VICI grants

4.1 Target group This form of grant is targeted at excellent researchers who have shown that they have the ability successfully to develop their own innovative lines of research and act as coaches for young researchers. Successful candidates will be among the top 10-20% of their peer group. The scheme offers such researchers the opportunity to build up their own research teams, often in advance of a regular professorial appointment. Their lines of research will be given a structural place within the research institution. Please note! Candidates can submit proposals in the period beginning 8 years and ending 15 years after they received their doctorates (calculated from the date on which the doctorate was formally awarded to the deadline for the relevant round of VICI grant applications)*****. Recently appointed professors may also compete for VICI funding provided that it is no more than 3 years since their appointment (calculated from the date of appointment to the deadline for the relevant round of VICI grant applications) and no more than 15 years since the award of their doctorate. NWO may, however, relax this 15-year deadline in the case of individual candidates who have taken extended sick, parental, maternity or care leave within that period, or who have combined a part-time research appointment with care responsibilities or training in a clinical specialism. Further information about the relaxation of the deadline is provided in the notes accompanying the application form. 4.2 Pre-proposals/Applications The procedure for VICI grants invariably involves the obligatory submission of pre-proposals. 4.2.1 Pre-proposals • Electronic submission Proposals must comply with the requirements (as stated in this brochure) and must be submitted electronically to NWO in the prescribed format. Forms for the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme can be downloaded from the NWO website (http://www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls) from 1 November 2002 on. They must be submitted using the IRIS system, which can be accessed via the NWO website. Pre-proposals must be written in English and must include: – The candidate's curriculum vitae and list of publications. – A brief outline of the research proposal (not exceeding 800 words, excluding bibliographical references). – Cost estimates. ***** The upper limit of 15 years is absolute, while the lower limit of 8 years is advisory. Candidates are urged to observe it but outstanding candidates who received their doctorates less than 8 years ago are not absolutely excluded from submitting a VICI proposal. They must, however, expect competition for VICI funding to be fiercer than for VIDI grants.

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• Postal submission The signed guarantee of institutional integration (see 4.4) from the relevant institution must be sent by the candidate to NWO by post, marked for the attention of the Council dealing with the application. This must always be done before the deadline for submission of applications in the relevant round. Standard forms for guarantees of institutional integration can be downloaded from the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme website. N.B. Copies of publications and letters of recommendation (other than letters expressing financial/material commitments) are not required! Postal address: NWO/Vernieuwingsimpuls Attn. Council for (please specify) P.O. Box 93138 2509 AC The Hague 4.2.2 Detailed applications A limited number of pre-proposals will be selected to be the subject of detailed applications. Researchers invited to produce detailed applications will be given further instructions on this. They will be asked in particular to expand their research proposals (from 800 words to no more than 8000). Detailed applications must be written in English and must include: – The candidate's curriculum vitae and list of publications. – An outline of the research proposal (not exceeding 8000 words, excluding bibliographical references). – Cost estimates. 4.3 Criteria Candidates and their pre-proposals / applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: Quality of the researcher: - Membership of the VICI target group. – Proven research skills demonstrated by the applicant's doctoral thesis, numerous publications of international stature and/or other relevant achievements in the field. – Demonstrable ability to bring his or her own research line of innovatory research to fruition and evidence that the applicant is among the top 10% of his/her peer group. – A leading national and international reputation. – Inspiring enthusiasm for research or technology. – Persuasiveness. - Demonstrable leadership and coaching skills.

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Innovative nature of the proposed research: – Originality of the topic. – Innovative elements. – Directed at the establishment of a new line of research. – Potential to make an internationally pioneering contribution to the advancement of science or technology. NB. Applications in the Technical Sciences field (to be assessed by STW) must include a separate section on utilisation specifying the potential of the proposed research to contribute to the advancement of technology. The requirements for this utilisation section are stated on the website (www.nwo.nl/vernieuwingsimpuls). Quality of the research proposal: – Challenging content. – Suitability of proposed method. – Solid anchorage in the university's research policy. – International importance of the proposed field of research. 4.4 Institutional guarantees Candidates must make their interest known to the institution where they wish to conduct their research. In all cases it is absolutely obligatory for candidates and host institutions to reach agreement on the institutional integration of the proposed research prior to the submission of the pre-proposal. The guarantee of structural integration given by the board of the institution will be binding in relation to the definitive agreements ultimately made between the candidate and the host institution. Guarantees of structural integration given in relation to VICI grants will concern the potential for integrating the content of the research into the institution's programme of work. The host institution will also indicate what guarantees it is willing to give concerning the future prospects of the line of research and the candidate following the period of grant, assuming that the research is successful. The terms of the guarantees may help determine the success of the application; after all, there can be no certainty that the grant will have a permanent impact unless it is clear that the proposed research will continue to be given priority after the period of grant has expired. 4.5 Funding

The maximum amount of the lump sum (see footnote ***) VICI grants to be awarded will be € 1,250,000 based on a period of 5 years. This means that NWO will make available a maximum of € 845,000 for each successful VICI application and that the host institution will contribute the remainder. If the proposed research is to be of shorter duration, the maximum amount will be reduced accordingly. Costs which can be covered under the scheme are:

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– Gross salary of the selected candidate plus up to 70% of that sum (to cover the employer's contributions, holiday pay, benchfees, correction for inflation, end-of-project payment etc.). The salary costs must always be included in the budget. NB. If the applicant is to devote no more than 25% of his/her working time to non-research activities (teaching/administration/management), the entire salary may be covered by the grant. If more than this amount of working time is to be spent on such activities, the grant application should relate only to the proportion of working time to be directly devoted to research. The salary scale will be fixed by the host institution. – Acquisition costs of materials and equipment or databases. – Travel and subsistence costs associated with attending conferences and visiting other research institutes. – Costs of bringing foreign colleagues to the Netherlands. – Costs of organising workshops/symposia. – Gross salaries of additional staff (PhD students, postdocs, technicians) plus 35% of that sum. The budget may exceed the maximum of but NWO's contribution will never be more than € 845,000. Where the budget is greater than € 1,250,000, the institution (or a third party) must send NWO an authorised letter guaranteeing to meet the additional costs. The letter should be sent by post and timed to coincide with submission of the application. 4.6 Timetable A selection round for VICI grants will be held once a year. The timetable for the procedure will be as follows: 2 April 2003 Deadline for submission of pre-proposals to NWO. period to mid-June 2003 Selection of pre-proposals by NWO councils. June 2003 Announcement of results of pre-proposals round. 3 September 2003 Deadline for submission of detailed VICI applications. period to 1 November 2003 Consultations with advisers and exercise of candidates' right of reply. period to 1 December 2003 Interviews and selection of candidates by NWO councils. December 2003 Decision-making by NWO Governing Board and award of grants.

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5. University address list Erasmus University, Rotterdam Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Ms M. Kret P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR ROTTERDAM University of Tilburg Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Dr T. van den Heuvel P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE TILBURG University of Nijmegen Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr R.A. Timmer P.O. Box 9102, 6500 HC NIJMEGEN University of Groningen Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Dr C. Streefland P.O. Box 72, 9700 AB GRONINGEN Delft University of Technology Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr J.W. Smeets P.O. Box 5, 2600 AA DELFT Eindhoven University of Technology Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr E.W. Gerritsen P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB EINDHOVEN University of Leiden Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr J.G. Frankfort / Mr P. van Slooten P.O. Box 9500, 2300 RA LEIDEN University of Maastricht

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Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Dr E.H.S. Drenthe P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD MAASTRICHT University of Twente Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr P.P. Hoetink P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE ENSCHEDE University of Utrecht Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Ms E.S. Bringmann, vernieuwingsimpuls@usp.uu.nl P.O. Box 80125, 3508 TC UTRECHT University of Amsterdam Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Mr N.R.J. Deen P.O. Box 19268, 1000 GG AMSTERDAM Free University of Amsterdam Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Dr R.D. van der Gaag De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV AMSTERDAM Wageningen University and Research Centre Executive Board Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Dr H.N.M. van der Lans P.O. Box 9101, 6700 HB WAGENINGEN