NWO Citizen Science (NWA)

Grant funding for strengthening collaboration between citizen collectives and researchers within the NWA routes by supporting co-created projects-initiated by citizen-defined questions.

The Dutch National Research Agenda (NWA – Nationale Wetenschapsagenda) is the national science agenda of the Netherlands, consisting of 140 overarching scientific questions. The agenda is the result of a unique bottom-up initiative, driven by the general Dutch public and a vast number of organisations in the Netherlands.

The purpose of the Dutch National research Agenda is to generate more synergy in research as a whole and augment the consistency, efficiency and impact of Dutch research. The agenda focuses on fields in which Dutch research excels and in which considerable progress is expected in the coming years. The individual questions are clustered in 25 so-called ‘routes’. An NWA-route consists of a selection of interlinked cluster questions surrounding a complex theme. Routes serve as tools for seeking out new partners and revealing new approaches for tackling complex issues.

The Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO – Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) Citizen Science Call seeks to strengthen collaboration between citizen collectives and researchers within the NWA routes. It enables organised citizen groups to work with researchers and relevant societal partners to develop and address societal challenges. Proposals must be co-created, with the research question originating from the citizen collective. This collaborative approach must continue throughout the project.

By combining the knowledge and experience of citizens with academic expertise, the call aims to enrich scientific research and encourage greater responsiveness of researchers to societal needs.