NetherlandsResearch Institution, Public Institution
Thematic Digital Competence Centers 2025
Thematic Digital Competence Centers 2025
Funding Amount
€50K - €400K
Deadline
20/11/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Thematic Digital Competence Centers 2025 Call?
Grant Description
This call funds projects that support the digitalisation ambitions of Thematic Digital Competence Centres and their communities in the areas of data, software and computing. It focuses on disseminating existing knowledge, building community-driven support, and networking rather than generating new scientific discoveries. Expected outputs include training programmes, data sharing agreements, metadata standards, and community events to enhance FAIR principles and improve use of computing resources...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
• Advance the digitalisation ambitions of the TDCCs by improving community knowledge of data, software and computing
• Equip researchers and support staff with enhanced skills through education, training and best practices
• Unlock data sharing by resolving legal or technical bottlenecks and establishing metadata standards
• Promote FAIR principles and the use of shared software platforms and computing resources
• Forge stronger, more coherent networks within and across TDCC domains, preventing duplication of effort
• Disseminate knowledge and results on a non-exclusive, non-discriminatory basis via open access, open-source software or formal knowledge-transfer activities
• Ensure broad uptake of developed workflows, agreements or tools to maximize impact on the research community
• Advance the digitalisation ambitions of the TDCCs by improving community knowledge of data, software and computing
• Equip researchers and support staff with enhanced skills through education, training and best practices
• Unlock data sharing by resolving legal or technical bottlenecks and establishing metadata standards
• Promote FAIR principles and the use of shared software platforms and computing resources
• Forge stronger, more coherent networks within and across TDCC domains, preventing duplication of effort
• Disseminate knowledge and results on a non-exclusive, non-discriminatory basis via open access, open-source software or formal knowledge-transfer activities
• Ensure broad uptake of developed workflows, agreements or tools to maximize impact on the research community
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Projects must:
• Directly address one or more ambitions from the relevant TDCC roadmap (LSH, NES or SSH) in the areas of data, software or computing
• Focus on support and networking, not new scientific research
• Fit within the EU Community Framework for State aid for R&D&I (broad non-exclusive dissemination of results or knowledge transfer activities)
• Involve a transparent, community-driven preparation process with the relevant TDCC domain parties (minimum 33% of assessment score)
• Demonstrate clear relevance to TDCC roadmap ambitions, impact on digitalisation, urgency and timeliness, and FAIR principles where applicable (33% of score)
• Present a coherent, realistic project design that builds on existing knowledge, links related initiatives and has a logical budget (33% of score)
• Request between €50,000 and €400,000 (total project budget), for a maximum duration of 24 months
• Include only essential personnel, equipment and knowledge-utilisation costs, organised into the prescribed budget modules
• Provide at least 25% own contribution (cash or in-kind) documented by a letter of guarantee per applicant institution
• Directly address one or more ambitions from the relevant TDCC roadmap (LSH, NES or SSH) in the areas of data, software or computing
• Focus on support and networking, not new scientific research
• Fit within the EU Community Framework for State aid for R&D&I (broad non-exclusive dissemination of results or knowledge transfer activities)
• Involve a transparent, community-driven preparation process with the relevant TDCC domain parties (minimum 33% of assessment score)
• Demonstrate clear relevance to TDCC roadmap ambitions, impact on digitalisation, urgency and timeliness, and FAIR principles where applicable (33% of score)
• Present a coherent, realistic project design that builds on existing knowledge, links related initiatives and has a logical budget (33% of score)
• Request between €50,000 and €400,000 (total project budget), for a maximum duration of 24 months
• Include only essential personnel, equipment and knowledge-utilisation costs, organised into the prescribed budget modules
• Provide at least 25% own contribution (cash or in-kind) documented by a letter of guarantee per applicant institution
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
Eligibility:
• Applicants must be permanently employed or on tenure track at one of the listed Dutch research organisations (universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, designated research centres) or meet the cumulative conditions for other R&D&I organisations per NWO Grant Rules
• Zero-hours contract holders are excluded
• If the applicant’s employment or tenure track ends before project completion, a declaration from the employer guaranteeing adequate supervision is required
• Part-time employees must likewise guarantee supervision of all funded staff
Application requirements:
• Submit via the ISAAC system between 21 August 2025 and 20 November 2025 (14:00 CET)
• Use NWO’s ISAAC forms: application form (PDF), budget format (XLSX), declaration by research organisation
• Attach a signed letter of support from the mandated TDCC representative(s) and a letter(s) of guarantee for the own contribution
• Be prepared to make any administrative corrections post-submission to meet call conditions
Assessment & Procedure:
• Non-competitive, community-driven call; no external referees
• Applications reviewed by an independent (inter)national assessment committee
• Steps: submission → administrative check → pre-advice → rebuttal → committee meeting → decision
Research Data Management:
• A data management plan must be prepared after grant award and before project start
• Applicants must be permanently employed or on tenure track at one of the listed Dutch research organisations (universities, UMCs, KNAW/NWO institutes, designated research centres) or meet the cumulative conditions for other R&D&I organisations per NWO Grant Rules
• Zero-hours contract holders are excluded
• If the applicant’s employment or tenure track ends before project completion, a declaration from the employer guaranteeing adequate supervision is required
• Part-time employees must likewise guarantee supervision of all funded staff
Application requirements:
• Submit via the ISAAC system between 21 August 2025 and 20 November 2025 (14:00 CET)
• Use NWO’s ISAAC forms: application form (PDF), budget format (XLSX), declaration by research organisation
• Attach a signed letter of support from the mandated TDCC representative(s) and a letter(s) of guarantee for the own contribution
• Be prepared to make any administrative corrections post-submission to meet call conditions
Assessment & Procedure:
• Non-competitive, community-driven call; no external referees
• Applications reviewed by an independent (inter)national assessment committee
• Steps: submission → administrative check → pre-advice → rebuttal → committee meeting → decision
Research Data Management:
• A data management plan must be prepared after grant award and before project start
Important dates
Open from: 21/08/2025
Deadline:20/11/2025
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