12.5 million euros for Open Science

• June 19, 2024

The call for proposals for Open Science Infrastructure is now open, marking a significant milestone for Open Science NL with a substantial budget of 12.5 million euros. This initiative is designed to fund the improvement or development of digital infrastructures that support open science, making it the organization’s largest funding programme to date.

“We are happy to launch this ambitious call. It is a broad programme that can meet many different needs of the community,” says Open Science NL director Hans de Jonge. He emphasizes the inclusive and expansive nature of the programme, which aims to address diverse requirements within the research community. A notable aspect of this call is its emphasis on collaborative improvement of existing solutions. “This not only helps make the current infrastructures more connected and sustainable but also creates an opportunity for people to collaborate, exchange ideas, and share expertise. This leads to improved solutions that we hope will significantly advance the open science movement in the Netherlands and benefit the entire community,” de Jonge adds.

Goals and Focus Areas

The programme aims to support the research community in the Netherlands by addressing various needs in the field of digital infrastructure. It encompasses the full breadth of the open science agenda, allowing for both generic applications that are not specific to any particular domain or scientific discipline, as well as applications targeting the needs of specific research domains.

Applications can focus on specific research outputs, such as:

• Open access publications
• Research software
• Data
• Hardware
• Creative products
• Replication studies

Additionally, proposals related to specific open science practices are welcome, including:

• Citizen science
• Societal engagement
• Reproducibility
• Pre-registration
• Open peer review

Project Types and Funding Details

Interested parties can submit applications for two types of projects:

1. Small Projects: These involve improving or expanding existing infrastructure or serving as a pilot for new infrastructure. Applicants can request up to €250,000 for projects that can last up to two years.
2. Large Projects: These aim to significantly improve or expand existing infrastructure and require collaboration between at least two applicants from different institutions. For these projects, applicants can request between €250,000 and €1,500,000, with a maximum project duration of four years.

Q&A and Matching Events

To facilitate understanding of the call, answer questions, and connect potential co-applicants, Open Science NL is organizing two online meetings on the 11th and 16th of July, 2024. These sessions will be conducted in English. Participants can also request a recording of the informational part of the meetings via the registration pages.

This call for proposals represents a significant opportunity for the research community in the Netherlands to enhance the infrastructure supporting open science, fostering collaboration and innovation across various fields and disciplines.

More info at Open Science NL