Veni Research Grant 2025 – NWO, Netherlands (€320K)

About the Fellowship

The Veni Research Grant 2025, part of the NWO Talent Programme, invites applications from exceptionally talented early-career researchers aiming to develop independent academic careers. With a maximum funding of €320,000, Veni supports innovative and original research across all scientific disciplines. This prestigious Netherlands-based grant is person-specific and highly competitive, enabling researchers to establish their academic profile and pursue groundbreaking ideas. A mandatory pre-proposal phase precedes full applications, with an exclusive focus on the applicant’s academic excellence. Veni offers an unparalleled opportunity for PhD holders worldwide to embed their research within Dutch institutions and contribute meaningfully to national and global knowledge ecosystems.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: Veni Research Grant 2025
Host Institution: Dutch universities and eligible research institutions affiliated with NWO
Administering Body / Funding Agency: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Location: Netherlands (host institution of choice)
Research Field(s): Open to all disciplines, including STEM, SSH, and interdisciplinary research
Fellowship Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship / Early-Career Research Grant
Level: Early-career researchers
Fellowship Duration: Typically 3 years (as per project proposal)
Expected Start Date: From 2026 onwards (based on award and host institution timelines)
Working Hours: As per Dutch institutional norms
Funding/Compensation: Up to €320,000 (includes salary, research costs, and limited overhead)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD (awarded between 1 January 2022 and 2 September 2025)

Supported Research Fields / Areas

All academic disciplines are eligible, including but not limited to:

Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Humanities
Engineering and Technology
Health Sciences and Medicine
Environmental Sciences
Linguistics
Law and Legal Studies
Psychology
Political Science and International Relations
Education and Pedagogy
Philosophy and Ethics
Economics and Business Studies
History and Archaeology
Cultural and Area Studies
Art, Architecture, and Design
Mathematics and Computer Science
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Interdisciplinary and Cross-Disciplinary Research

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD awarded after 1 January 2022 and before 2 September 2025
Affiliation with a Dutch research institution (embedding guarantee required)
Open to researchers from any country

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated academic excellence and innovation potential
Strong research vision and independent scholarly agenda
Willingness to collaborate with Dutch institutions

Not Eligible:

Researchers without a confirmed PhD by 2 September 2025
Those previously awarded a Veni grant

Fellowship/Job Benefits

Funding: Up to €320,000 (salary, research costs, modest institutional costs)
Recognition: Prestigious early-career award within the Dutch academic system
Flexibility: Research hosted at a Dutch institution of the applicant’s choosing
Mentorship: Support from host institutions and NWO domain experts
International collaboration: Opportunities for global knowledge exchange and visibility

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute an innovative, independent research project
Collaborate with Dutch research groups or departments
Contribute to academic publications, conferences, and outreach
Engage with the academic community at the host institution
Submit reports and updates as required by NWO

Application Process

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted via the NWO online portal. The 2025 round has a mandatory pre-proposal stage. Only shortlisted applicants may proceed to full proposal submission.

Required Documents:

Pre-proposal form (focus on quality of researcher – 100%)
Updated CV (EBCV format)
Embedding guarantee from Dutch host institution
Full proposal (upon invitation): research proposal, societal impact, references, budget