Cybersecurity, climate, circular economy, housing shortage, aging population, or health: our society faces enormous challenges that demand knowledge and groundbreaking innovations. This requires collaboration between researchers, businesses, and public sector organizations to develop and successfully implement innovative solutions. This program stimulates this collaboration and funds new and existing public-private consortia. The grant ceiling for this Call for Proposals is €14 million, with a maximum duration of six years.
Purpose
The goal of this program is to stimulate demand-driven public-private partnerships that contribute to impact for the economy, people, and the planet. The focus is on the societal challenges as described in the Dutch government's mission-driven innovation policy.
Within this policy, the consortium's knowledge and/or development needs are central. The program does not employ disciplinary frameworks or predefined themes: the research must align exclusively with one or more KIAs. This gives consortia the freedom to design interdisciplinary research tailored to their own specific issues and ambitions.
Important data
- The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by 2:00 PM.
- The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, November 12, 2026, by 2:00 PM
The deadline for submitting a request for assessment from (foreign) organizations is four working weeks before the stated submission deadlines.
- For pre-proposals, the deadline for submitting a request for assessment is Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by 2:00 PM.
- For applications, the deadline for submitting a request for assessment is Thursday, October 15, 2026, by 2:00 PM.
For whom
An application is submitted by a consortium consisting of:
- A main applicant: a researcher with a permanent position or tenure track at a Dutch university, university medical center, KNAW/NWO institute, NKI, MPI Nijmegen, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, ARCNL, or Princess Máxima Center. Lecturers with a paid, fixed-term contract may also be main applicants;
- Co-applicants: researchers from the aforementioned institutions or other research organizations (such as foundations or associations) that meet NWO requirements;
- Co-funders and collaboration partners: provide financial/in-kind contributions or substantive involvement, respectively, but do not apply for a grant.
Please note:
- Participation of at least one company (private for-profit organization) is mandatory, as is participation of at least two different research organizations;
- TO2 institutions may not participate as applicants.
KIC V4C-XL offers companies, civil society organizations, and other practice-oriented partners an accessible way to actively engage in research that aligns with their own challenges and ambitions. By collaborating in a consortium, they contribute to the development of knowledge and solutions with social and economic added value. Multiple companies and social organizations can participate in each project.
Information meeting
On September 19, 2025, NWO will host an online information meeting about this call. Participants will receive more information about the call and the submission process. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Participation is not mandatory. Registration is open until Friday, September 19, via the registration form.
