Open Competition Domain Science – XS package 25-3
Open Competition ENW XS
Funding Amount
Up to €50K
Deadline
16/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Research Institution
Trusted by
What is the Open Competition Domain Science – XS package 25-3 Call?
Grant Description
The Open Competition Domain Science – XS grants support high-risk, curiosity-driven, groundbreaking research within seven domain science disciplines by funding rapid exploration of promising ideas. All results, positive or negative, must contribute to scientific advancement and enable researchers to decide whether to pursue further funding.
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
- Generation of high-risk/high-gain results (positive or negative) that advance domain science knowledge
• Proof of concept and preliminary data to inform decisions on further research investment
• Foundation for follow-on funding proposals in larger programmes (e.g. ENW-M, ENW-XL) or other schemes
• Demonstration of feasibility and innovation in new research lines
• Contribution to good research practice through responsible data management and open science outputs
• Strengthened researcher track record in exploratory, ground-breaking research
• Proof of concept and preliminary data to inform decisions on further research investment
• Foundation for follow-on funding proposals in larger programmes (e.g. ENW-M, ENW-XL) or other schemes
• Demonstration of feasibility and innovation in new research lines
• Contribution to good research practice through responsible data management and open science outputs
• Strengthened researcher track record in exploratory, ground-breaking research
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
- Applicant eligibility
• Hold a PhD and a salaried position throughout application and project period (open to postdocs)
• Applicants to previous package 25-2 (deadline 6 May 2025) are ineligible
• Project duration and budget
• Maximum duration: 1 year
• Maximum funding request: €50,000
• Research characteristics
• Curiosity-driven, bold, innovative, ground-breaking and speculative (high-risk/high-gain)
• No thematic or methodological restrictions; open to any domain science topic
• Project plan must clearly describe objectives, rationale and work plan
• Must align with the Call’s aim (Chapter 2 of the Call for Proposals)
• Proposal format and submission
• Submitted anonymously (no names, affiliations, or self-references)
• Written for a broad scientific audience across all Domain Science disciplines
• Choose one assessment cluster: Life Sciences OR Physical & Exact Sciences
• Submit via the ISAAC system using the prescribed forms (application, budget, information)
• Mandatory annexes: budget form (Excel), information form
• Optional annex: PhD appointment declaration (Annex 7.1)
• Font size in PDF application form: minimum 9.5 pt
• Deadlines and procedure
• Three 2025 submission deadlines: 18 Feb, 6 May, 16 Sep (all at 14:00 CET/CEST)
• Admissibility check, disclosure of interests, assessment by cross-cluster peer review, no rebuttal
• Decision by NWO Domain Science Board based on rankings and budget availability
• Hold a PhD and a salaried position throughout application and project period (open to postdocs)
• Applicants to previous package 25-2 (deadline 6 May 2025) are ineligible
• Project duration and budget
• Maximum duration: 1 year
• Maximum funding request: €50,000
• Research characteristics
• Curiosity-driven, bold, innovative, ground-breaking and speculative (high-risk/high-gain)
• No thematic or methodological restrictions; open to any domain science topic
• Project plan must clearly describe objectives, rationale and work plan
• Must align with the Call’s aim (Chapter 2 of the Call for Proposals)
• Proposal format and submission
• Submitted anonymously (no names, affiliations, or self-references)
• Written for a broad scientific audience across all Domain Science disciplines
• Choose one assessment cluster: Life Sciences OR Physical & Exact Sciences
• Submit via the ISAAC system using the prescribed forms (application, budget, information)
• Mandatory annexes: budget form (Excel), information form
• Optional annex: PhD appointment declaration (Annex 7.1)
• Font size in PDF application form: minimum 9.5 pt
• Deadlines and procedure
• Three 2025 submission deadlines: 18 Feb, 6 May, 16 Sep (all at 14:00 CET/CEST)
• Admissibility check, disclosure of interests, assessment by cross-cluster peer review, no rebuttal
• Decision by NWO Domain Science Board based on rankings and budget availability
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Anonymity requirements
• Do not include any names, institutional affiliations, or self-authored publication references
• Do not identify project partners or collaborators
• Eligibility restrictions
• Ineligible if submitted in immediately preceding package (25-2)
• PhD student or physician assistant appointments subject to conditions in Annex 7.1
• Assessment structure
• Applications divided into two clusters and two groups per cluster; peer-assessment is cross-group
• No opportunity for rebuttal of assessments
• Data management
• A data management plan must be prepared after grant award and before project initiation
• Administrative
• Applicants must register for an ISAAC account at least one working day before submission
• Must use official ISAAC forms and follow formatting instructions
• Projects must start and end within one year of award
• Do not include any names, institutional affiliations, or self-authored publication references
• Do not identify project partners or collaborators
• Eligibility restrictions
• Ineligible if submitted in immediately preceding package (25-2)
• PhD student or physician assistant appointments subject to conditions in Annex 7.1
• Assessment structure
• Applications divided into two clusters and two groups per cluster; peer-assessment is cross-group
• No opportunity for rebuttal of assessments
• Data management
• A data management plan must be prepared after grant award and before project initiation
• Administrative
• Applicants must register for an ISAAC account at least one working day before submission
• Must use official ISAAC forms and follow formatting instructions
• Projects must start and end within one year of award
Important dates
Deadline:16/09/2025
Application period has ended
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