Joint VWS and NWO TTW call on antibiotics

The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and NWO TTW jointly commissioned an ambitious research programme on the development of new antibiotics and alternatives to antibiotics. As a result, NWO TTW presents the call focusing on Novel Antibacterial Compounds and Therapies Antagonizing Resistance (NACTAR). Deadline for submitting pre-preposals is June 27, 2017. The budget available for research projects is € 5.5 million. Funding is up to € 750,000.

Aim of the NACTAR programme is to deliver new bioactive compounds and alternatives to antibiotics aimed at curing human infectious diseases caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. This includes the use of microbial hosts and methodologies to synthesize new bioactive compounds and semi-synthetic variants, characterization of their antimicrobial activity and their efficacy in infectious disease animal models. We foresee many potential patent applications, and opportunities for small-to-medium enterprises to interact with academia.

Scientists employed by Dutch (Technical) Universities and institutes eligible for funding by NWO may apply. The programme has a maximum duration of five years. Individual projects will have a typical duration of 2-4 years. The deadline to submit a full proposal is September 21, 2017. 

On Wednesday June 7, NWO TTW organises an information event from 13:00-16:00 in Utrecht. Representatives from academia, knowledge institutions and other relevant stakeholders are cordially invited to join in the event.