Transformation in mobility is needed to tackle the uncertainties of current and future innovations. The aim of the call ‘Mobility in a Sustainable Future (KIC)’ is to develop innovative designs for individual mobility systems for people in the sustainable Netherlands of the future. New concepts for transport and public spaces call for out-of-the-box thinking, as well as transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Aim of the call
Dealing with the uncertainties in current and future innovations requires new narratives and approaches, as equally the development and acceptance of reflexivity. This requires a broader perspective on mobility than as simply a means for the effective transportation of people. This call is not about building upon existing technologies and trends, but about creating new narratives and approaches, and encouraging out-of-the-box innovation.
The aim of this call is to develop a new coherent body of ideas, views and concepts (narratives) about mobility. What will mobility look like in the future? How do we ensure that mobility is inclusive and accessible? Which technological innovations does this require? New, broader conceptual frameworks are needed to realise this.
Call for proposals
New views on mobility should also be supported by new technological possibilities and innovations. What are the fundamental boundaries and what could be solved through technological innovation? It is therefore important that research consortia choose as their starting point not only an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, but an approach that is also transdisciplinary. The intention is to actively involve various stakeholders through the interaction of socioeconomic and technological aspects. Public-private consortia that wish to submit a proposal in this call are expected to have a broad and diverse composition, and should be of an innovative nature.
Key aspects of this call are outside-the-box thinking, unusual suspects, the development of new narratives, flexibility and adopting a reflexive attitude and transdisciplinary collaboration. Research projects may contain the following questions:
- Future of mobility: what are the possibilities of new technologies for the future design of mobility and transport infrastructures?
- Inclusive and accessible sustainable mobility: how can we achieve a sustainable mobility system that is available for and benefits as many people as possible?
- Sustainable mobility and behaviour: how can we shift people’s attitude towards mobility to be more sustainable?
- Living environment and infrastructure: how can we set up our transport systems to improve air quality, safety and general quality of life, maintain privacy, eliminate noise pollution and allow nature to thrive in our living environment?
Transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration
The starting point for any research consortia should not just consist of an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, but one that is also transdisciplinary. This means that the scientific knowledge from various academic disciplines ought to be combined with practical knowledge and expertise from industry and civil society organisations. This stimulates the development of a reflexive attitude, new approaches and innovative solutions.
Researchers from the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, as equally researchers from universities of applied sciences and other knowledge institutions, are invited to work together with industry and civil society organisations to submit a joint project proposal for this call. NWO will facilitate such collaboration by organising a matchmaking event following publication of the call.
Matchmaking
On 9 February 2023, NWO will organise an on-site matchmaking event for the call ‘Mobility in a Sustainable Future (KIC)’. With a varied programme of interactive sessions, participants will be able to talk about interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and exchange research interests with one another. The background and content of the Call for proposals will also briefly be touched upon.
Important dates
- Closing date for pre-registration: 28 March 2023 14:00 hrs
- Closing date full application: 3 October 2023 14:00 hrs
KIC seeks technological economic opportunities
The NWO research programme KIC focuses on groundbreaking innovative solutions with societal and economic impact. Companies, knowledge institutions and government bodies jointly invest in the commercial application of knowledge to tackle major societal challenges through the use of smart technologies. By doing this, both jobs and income can be secured for the future. This is established in the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) 2020-2023 that connects with the Mission-driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy of the Dutch government. NWO brings together companies and knowledge institutions and funds groundbreaking research based on their innovative, high-impact research proposals.
