Impact Explorer 2025
Impact Explorer 2025
€20K - €30K
03/02/2026
Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Impact Explorer 2025 Call?
Expected Outcomes
• Strengthened collaboration framework with one or more Impact Partners to pilot, refine and de-risk implementation pathways
• Deliverables such as pilot data, stakeholder feedback reports, feasibility studies or policy briefs that position the research for follow-on funding or scale-up
• A clear, stakeholder-verified impact roadmap outlining next steps toward societal deployment, commercialization or policy uptake
• Enhanced readiness of the research team to transition from discovery to societal utilization, demonstrated through tangible proof of concept and partner engagement metrics
Scope Requirements
• Main applicant must hold a running research project funded under NWO or ZonMw Open Competition or Talent Line
• Applicant may submit only one substantive proposal under this Call
• Each proposal must include at least one named Impact Partner (public, private or societal organization)
Funding:
• Budget request: minimum €20,000, maximum €30,000 per project
• Total Call budget: €1,000,000
Activities:
• Activities must focus exclusively on validating and preparing an unexpected societal application of the existing project’s research outputs
• Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the planned activities bridge from curiosity-driven discovery to societal use
Timeline & Submission:
• Continuous submission window: 4 February 2025 – 3 February 2026, 14:00 CET
• Applications submitted via the ISAAC system using the prescribed forms (application form, Impact Partner letter of support, and if applicable, statement of appointment and project supervision)
Assessment Criteria:
• Fit with the Call’s objective to explore unforeseen societal impact opportunities
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan (clarity, methodology, milestones)
• Quality and complementary expertise of the research team and Impact Partner
Special Conditions
• Mandatory formal letter of support from an identified Impact Partner; if the applicant’s employment contract expires during the funded period, a statement on appointment and project supervision is also required
• Proposals have limited space for elaboration; applicants must write for a non-specialist jury without domain referees
• Funds may not cover salaries or appointment extensions for temporary academic staff
• Responsible research data management: DMP must be prepared and approved after grant award, before project start
• Continuous submission with periodic “collection times” as detailed in the Call (Chapters 1.3 & 4.2.3)
• Standard NWO procedural rules apply throughout the application, assessment and grant-management phases
Open from: 04/02/2025
Deadline:03/02/2026
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