NetherlandsResearch Institution, Private Business, Public Institution
KIC Demand-driven Research by Consortia 6 XL
KIC Demand-driven Research by Consortia 6 XL
Funding Amount
€1.4M - €7.0M
Deadline
10/03/2026
Eligible Organization Types
Research Institution, Private Business, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the KIC Demand-driven Research by Consortia 6 XL Call?
Grant Description
This programme supports demand-driven public-private collaborations between researchers, businesses and social partners to develop innovative solutions to major societal challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change, circular economy, housing shortage, ageing population and health. It funds new and existing consortia to conduct interdisciplinary research aligned with the Dutch mission-driven innovation agenda, with the aim of generating impactful knowledge and technologies and accelerating th...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Funded consortia are expected to deliver:
• New interdisciplinary knowledge and technological solutions that address one or more societal challenges as defined in the Dutch mission-driven innovation policy (e.g., cybersecurity, climate adaptation, circular economy, affordable housing, healthy ageing, public health).
• A clear and credible pathway to impact, demonstrating how research outputs will be translated into economic, social, or environmental benefits at industrial, policy, or community levels.
• Strengthened public–private partnerships and co-innovation models that accelerate uptake of research findings in business and society.
• Robust evidence of co-funding commitments and balanced, well-justified budgets enabling sustained, high-impact research over up to six years.
• Effective data management and responsible research practices ensuring transparency, reproducibility, and long-term value of research data.
• Contributions to the Dutch Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIAs) through demonstrable alignment and suitability, supporting national mission-driven innovation goals.
• New interdisciplinary knowledge and technological solutions that address one or more societal challenges as defined in the Dutch mission-driven innovation policy (e.g., cybersecurity, climate adaptation, circular economy, affordable housing, healthy ageing, public health).
• A clear and credible pathway to impact, demonstrating how research outputs will be translated into economic, social, or environmental benefits at industrial, policy, or community levels.
• Strengthened public–private partnerships and co-innovation models that accelerate uptake of research findings in business and society.
• Robust evidence of co-funding commitments and balanced, well-justified budgets enabling sustained, high-impact research over up to six years.
• Effective data management and responsible research practices ensuring transparency, reproducibility, and long-term value of research data.
• Contributions to the Dutch Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIAs) through demonstrable alignment and suitability, supporting national mission-driven innovation goals.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Applicants must form a consortium meeting all of the following criteria:
• Composition:
– One Main Applicant employed on a permanent or tenure-track contract at a Dutch university, university medical centre, NWO or KNAW institute, NKI, Max Planck Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center (or a lector at a university of applied sciences).
– At least one Co-Applicant researcher at the above institutions or other NWO-eligible research organisations.
– At least one private for-profit company as co-funding partner.
– At least two different research organisations represented.
– Additional in-kind or financial Collaboration Partners (public or social partners) may participate without requesting NWO funds.
• Funding budget:
– Total call ceiling €14 million.
– Individual proposals may request €1.4 million–€7 million in NWO funding.
– NWO may cover up to 70% of total budget; minimum 30% mandatory co-funding (of which a portion must be private cash).
• Project duration: up to 6 years.
• Research scope: must align with one or more KIAs; no prescribed thematic or disciplinary boundaries; projects must address societal challenges (e.g., cybersecurity, climate, circular economy, housing, ageing population, health) as defined in the Dutch mission-driven innovation policy.
• Composition:
– One Main Applicant employed on a permanent or tenure-track contract at a Dutch university, university medical centre, NWO or KNAW institute, NKI, Max Planck Nijmegen, Naturalis, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center (or a lector at a university of applied sciences).
– At least one Co-Applicant researcher at the above institutions or other NWO-eligible research organisations.
– At least one private for-profit company as co-funding partner.
– At least two different research organisations represented.
– Additional in-kind or financial Collaboration Partners (public or social partners) may participate without requesting NWO funds.
• Funding budget:
– Total call ceiling €14 million.
– Individual proposals may request €1.4 million–€7 million in NWO funding.
– NWO may cover up to 70% of total budget; minimum 30% mandatory co-funding (of which a portion must be private cash).
• Project duration: up to 6 years.
• Research scope: must align with one or more KIAs; no prescribed thematic or disciplinary boundaries; projects must address societal challenges (e.g., cybersecurity, climate, circular economy, housing, ageing population, health) as defined in the Dutch mission-driven innovation policy.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Two-stage submission: mandatory pre-proposal (KIA suitability assessment with rebuttal opportunity) followed by invitation to full proposal.
• Deadlines:
– Pre-proposals due 10 March 2026, 14:00 CET.
– Full proposals due 12 November 2026, 14:00 CET.
– Requests for review of foreign organisations: 4 weeks prior (10 Feb 2026 and 15 Oct 2026, 14:00 CET).
• Proposal limits:
– Main Applicant may submit only one proposal as main applicant and may additionally serve as co-applicant in at most one other consortium.
– Co-applicants may serve in at most two consortia as co-applicant.
• Eligibility exclusions: TO2 institutes may not participate as applicants.
• Format and submission:
– All proposals in English via the ISAAC system, using prescribed forms only.
– Only specified annexes are allowed; additional annexes will be removed.
• Assessment procedure: pre-proposal KIA check, external peer review with rebuttal, assessment committee interview, final decision by NWO Executive Board.
• Deadlines:
– Pre-proposals due 10 March 2026, 14:00 CET.
– Full proposals due 12 November 2026, 14:00 CET.
– Requests for review of foreign organisations: 4 weeks prior (10 Feb 2026 and 15 Oct 2026, 14:00 CET).
• Proposal limits:
– Main Applicant may submit only one proposal as main applicant and may additionally serve as co-applicant in at most one other consortium.
– Co-applicants may serve in at most two consortia as co-applicant.
• Eligibility exclusions: TO2 institutes may not participate as applicants.
• Format and submission:
– All proposals in English via the ISAAC system, using prescribed forms only.
– Only specified annexes are allowed; additional annexes will be removed.
• Assessment procedure: pre-proposal KIA check, external peer review with rebuttal, assessment committee interview, final decision by NWO Executive Board.
Important dates
Deadline:10/03/2026
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