The Impact Explorer funding from the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) is a small top-up for ongoing research projects in the open competition or talent line, supporting researchers to explore an unforeseen opportunity for societal impact in close collaboration with an Impact Partner. The grant is intended to test whether and how an unexpected research outcome, or an unexpected application of one, from curiosity-driven research can lead to societal impact.
Applications are open to researchers with a running project in one of the open competitions or talent line programmes of NWO or ZonMw. Only one proposal may be assessed per ongoing project, and every application must be submitted together with at least one Impact Partner.
Researchers can apply for 20,000 EUR to 35,000 EUR, with a maximum project duration of 12 months. The funding cannot be used to extend or fund appointments of temporary academic staff. The total budget for the call is 1,450,000 EUR.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and close on October 5, 2027.