NWO publishes call License to Operate

NWO has published the call for proposals License to Operate. Deadline of submissions is October 2, 2014. With this funding round, NWO is encouraging innovative, scientifically challenging research activities in the area of water that are focused on obtaining new insights and that also offer a clear perspective for economic and/or societal utilisation of the results. This call is part of the NWO-theme Water and Climate and was prepared in consultation with the Top Sector Water.

The Top consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) Delta technology, Maritime technology and Water technology have requested research proposals within the following three themes:
• Sustainable raw materials and energy generation in/with water;
• Construction in wet areas with due consideration for nature and the environment;
• Maintaining sufficient supplies of clean freshwater.

Earth and life sciences research and technological research form the basis for each proposal, but collaborations with other disciplines, especially the humanities and/or social and behavioural sciences are encouraged.
A consortium of researchers and private partners may apply for funding for research that provides the basis for a License to Operate for maritime and offshore operations, wet projects in hydraulic engineering and the applications of water technology. A principal applicant, who must be a researcher at a Dutch university or a research institute recognised by NWO, submits the application on behalf of the project consortium. The consortium should consist of at least one knowledge institution and at least one private partner. In addition, one or more additional private and/or (semi-)public partners may take part in the consortium.
The budget available is € 3.5 million. NWO financing is between € 250,000 and € 750,000 and is up to 90% of the whole projectbudget. The private and public partners in the project consortium together should contribute at least 10% cash of the project costs. Matching by private and/or public partners is obligatory.

With the call, NWO wants to strengthen the scientific basis underlying maritime and offshore operations, wet projects in hydraulic engineering and the applications of water technology and to increase the applicability of the knowledge in the top sector Water.