Research Grant · Early-Career Researchers · Netherlands · NWO Talent Programme
The NWO Veni Talent Programme supports researchers who are transitioning towards research independence. The 2026 round allows eligible researchers to request up to €320,000 for an independent project of up to three years at an NWO-recognised institution in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Up to 3 years
Early-career researchers
Embedding guarantee required
Current-status note: the 2026 pre-proposal deadline has passed. The 26 January 2027 deadline applies to applicants invited to submit a full proposal in the currently published ZonMw 2026 route. Researchers in other NWO domains should always check their domain-specific call and submission portal before relying on a date.
1What Is the NWO Veni Talent Programme?
Veni is the early-career instrument within the NWO Talent Programme. It is designed for researchers who have recently obtained their PhD and are moving towards independence. The grant provides protected research space to develop an original research line at an eligible Dutch host institution.
The programme is intended to fund scientifically innovative research and help promising researchers establish themselves as independent researchers. Applicants who are already significantly further along in establishing their own research group may fall outside the intended Veni career stage.
2Who Can Apply for Veni 2026?
The current 2026 rules are more precise than a simple “within three years of PhD” statement.
PhD Timing
For the published 2026 round, candidates are eligible if they obtained their PhD in the three years preceding the reference date of 1 January 2026, or if they obtained their PhD between 1 January 2026 and 1 September 2026.
Career Stage
Veni targets researchers who are transitioning towards independence. Academic quality and fit with this career stage form part of the assessment.
Nationality
Applicants may come from the Netherlands or abroad. The key requirement is that the funded project is carried out at an eligible host institution.
Host Institution
The project must be conducted at an NWO-recognised institution in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Extensions to the career-dependent submission period may be possible under specified circumstances. Applicants who need an extension should use the exact rules in the current call rather than assuming eligibility from a general summary.
3Funding and Project Duration
| Feature | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum grant | €320,000 |
| Maximum standard duration | 3 years |
| Part-time extension | Project duration may be extended proportionally by up to one year, to a maximum of 4 years |
| Minimum part-time appointment | 0.4 FTE |
| Shorter project | Maximum grant is reduced proportionally |
The grant is project funding, not a personal cash award. The approved budget is administered through the host institution according to the call rules and eligible budget categories.
Older CareerAidHub text listed €280,000 in one summary table. That figure is outdated for the current 2026 round. The verified maximum is €320,000.
4Current 2026–27 Timeline
The currently published ZonMw Veni 2026 schedule for health research provides the following timeline. Other NWO domains may use their own administrative pages, so applicants should verify the relevant domain before submission.
| Stage | Date / period |
|---|---|
| Call opened | 1 July 2026 |
| Pre-proposal deadline | 1 September 2026, 14:00 CEST — closed |
| Pre-proposal assessment | October–November 2026 |
| Provisional recommendation | Mid-November 2026 |
| Board decision on pre-proposals | December 2026 |
| Full proposal deadline | 26 January 2027, 14:00 CET — invited applicants only |
| Pre-assessment | February 2027 |
| Rebuttal opportunity | March 2027 |
| Interview selection | April 2027 |
| Interviews / committee meeting | May 2027 |
| Final decision | July 2027 |
| Latest start date | Within 6 months after award |
5Pre-Proposal Stage
For the published 2026 ZonMw route, the pre-proposal is written in English and contains three core elements:
- Evidence-based CV describing the applicant’s academic profile
- Up to 10 key output items, each with a brief explanation
- Concise research idea
- Mandatory signed embedding guarantee as an attachment
The pre-proposal stage is designed to assess the quality and potential of the researcher before a smaller group is invited to prepare the full application.
6Full Proposal Stage
The full proposal is not open to everyone who missed the pre-proposal deadline. It is the next stage for applicants selected after pre-proposal assessment.
Important: the 26 January 2027 deadline should not be interpreted as a new open-entry application deadline. It is for invited applicants progressing from the 2026 pre-proposal round.
Invited candidates should use the official full-proposal form and current call instructions supplied by the relevant NWO domain or ZonMw. The later assessment process may include committee review, rebuttal and interview stages, depending on the domain.
7What Is the Embedding Guarantee?
The embedding guarantee confirms that an eligible Dutch research institution is willing to host the applicant and provide the institutional environment required for the project.
Why it matters
Veni is a personal research grant, but the research must be embedded in an eligible Dutch institution. The guarantee demonstrates institutional commitment before the proposal proceeds.
When to arrange it
Do not leave host discussions until the final week. The signed embedding guarantee is a mandatory pre-proposal attachment in the current ZonMw round.
8Application Strategy
- Confirm domain and eligibility first. Check the exact NWO/ZonMw route, reference date and any extension rules.
- Secure an eligible Dutch host early. Discuss scientific fit and the embedding guarantee well before the deadline.
- Build a coherent evidence-based CV. Use the academic profile and key outputs to demonstrate quality, originality and progression towards independence.
- Keep the research idea focused. The pre-proposal should communicate the central question, novelty and why the project is timely.
- Show career-stage fit. Veni is intended for transition to independence, not for researchers already well beyond that stage.
- Use official forms only. Templates, instructions and portal requirements can change between rounds and domains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the NWO Veni grant in 2026?
Applicants can request up to €320,000 for the current 2026 round.
How long can a Veni project last?
The standard maximum duration is three years. Part-time research can extend the project proportionally by up to one additional year, subject to the call rules.
Is the 2026 Veni call still open?
The 2026 pre-proposal deadline has passed. In the currently published ZonMw route, the pre-proposal deadline was 1 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
Can I submit a full proposal directly in January 2027?
No. The 26 January 2027 deadline in the current ZonMw schedule is for applicants invited to submit a full proposal after the pre-proposal stage.
Who is eligible based on PhD date?
For the published 2026 round, applicants may apply if they obtained their PhD in the three years preceding the 1 January 2026 reference date, or between 1 January and 1 September 2026, subject to permitted extensions.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. Candidates may come from the Netherlands or abroad, provided the funded project is carried out at an NWO-recognised institution in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and all call requirements are met.
Is an embedding guarantee required?
Yes, the current 2026 ZonMw pre-proposal requires a signed embedding guarantee from the host institution.
What is included in the pre-proposal?
The current ZonMw route requires an evidence-based CV, an academic profile, up to 10 key output items with explanations, a concise research idea and a signed embedding guarantee.
Official Sources & Verification
Last verified by CareerAidHub:
Verified core facts: maximum grant €320,000; maximum standard duration 3 years; project at an NWO-recognised institution; current ZonMw 2026 pre-proposal deadline closed on 1 September 2026; invited full proposals due 26 January 2027.
