NWO-Talentprogramme┋Vidi - Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

Vidi is an instrument within the NWO Talent Programme. The Vidi target group consists of researchers who are in the transition to leadership. They also possess academic qualities that clearly exceed what is usual and demonstrate development of leadership and mentoring qualities. The Vidi grant funds scientifically innovative research and gives researchers the opportunity to establish or expand a research group.

Purpose

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.

Who can apply

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.

What can be applied for

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 to apply

• The deadline for submitting preproposals is 4 november 2025, before 14:00:00 CET.
• The deadline for submitting full propoals is 9 april 2026, before 14:00:00 CEST.

Assessment

Criteria

The preproposal submitted within this Call for proposals will be substantially assessed on the basis of the following criterion:

• Quality of the researcher.

The applications submitted within this Call for proposals will be substantially assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Quality and innovative character of the research proposal (75%);
• Scientific and/or societal impact (25%).

Procedure

• submission of the preproposal;
• admissibility check of the preproposal;
• assessment of the preproposal;
  • provisional advice assessment committee;
  • possibility of filing a request for the correction of a factual error;
• decision-making preproposal;
• submission of the full proposal (only possible if you have received a positive decision on the preproposal);
• admissibility check of the full proposal;
• assessment of the full proposal;
  • peer review by referees;
  • rebuttal;
  • provisional advice assessment committee;
  • interview selection (ZonMw only);
  • interview and meeting of the assessment committee;
• decision-making.

The assessment of preproposals and full applications within SSH takes place in six panels. The allocation of proposals to a panel is determined by the applicants themselves. Please note that candidates submit their proposal to one of these panels in ISAAC. You can find the panel structure under ‘Prepare’.

Each panel has an assessment committee, which assesses the applications in all phases of the round. Therefore, applicants are adviced to take notice of the interdisciplinary character of the evaluation committees.

More 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. The embedding guarantee format can be found under ‘Prepare’.

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: FAQ | NWO