PRE-ANNOUNCE | Open Mind 2026
NWO will launch a new round of Open Mind in early 2026: a call for bold, creative, and high-risk research ideas that use technology to create sustainable societal impact. From climate and health to education, inclusion, and communication — the call is aimed at researchers who are willing to break with conventional thinking and propose truly innovative solutions.
Open Mind supports proposals that dare to take risks, challenge assumptions, and show clear potential for meaningful impact. Think of research that reimagines education, explores future-proof communication systems, or uses technological innovation to make daily life more accessible and sustainable. Projects have a maximum duration of one year; NWO provides up to €100,000 per project, with a total budget of €1 million for this round.
Who can apply?
The call is open to researchers from a broad range of research organisations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Postdocs and PhD candidates with a master’s degree are also eligible. The full list of participating institutions can be found on the official NWO page.
Info session & deadlines
NWO will host an online information session on 22 January 2026 (14:00 CET) for those considering submitting a proposal. The application deadline is 10 March 2026 at 14:00 CET.
Assessment & selection
Proposals are assessed on three main aspects:
- the meaningful impact, creativity, and high-risk/high-gain nature of the idea
- the quality and clarity of the research plan
- the societal relevance and urgency of the proposed work
Up to twenty proposals will be invited to pitch during the TEKNOWLOGY 2026 innovation festival, where the Open Mind 2026 awardees will also be announced. Recipients will present their results again at TEKNOWLOGY 2027.
Read all conditions, criteria, and details via the official NWO page.
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and intended to inform you of potential opportunities. The official rules and conditions for participation can be found on the NWO website.
Please note: no rights can be derived from the information published on the CLICKNL website. Amounts and call texts are subject to change; the text on the official website always prevails.