Interdisciplinary consortium to investigate the mechanisms behind drug related harm and how to sustainable reduce this harm.

The Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO – Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Gezondheidsonderzoek en Zorginnovatie (ZonMw – Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) are expected to open the NWA call ‘Reducing Drug-related Harm: Towards Effective Social Interventions’ in April 2026. The call will support the creation of a single interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary consortium to examine how society can better understand and address drug-related harm. The call is intended for researchers, social partners, citizens and policymakers, reflecting the wide-ranging consequences that drug use, production and trade continue to have across the Netherlands.

The call is initiated by the Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid (JenV – Ministries of Justice and Security) and Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS – Health, Welfare and Sport), who are working jointly to promote coherent and effective drug policy.

The call aims to generate new knowledge about the behavioural mechanisms that drive drug-related harm and identify sustainable ways to reduce it. Empirical, practical and scientific insights will be combined to explore social norms surrounding drug trafficking, production and use, helping to clarify why behavioural changes succeed or fail, where responsibilities lie and what policy instruments may be effective. Strong citizen involvement will be required throughout.

NWO and ZonMw are set to organise an online information meeting, with details to follow. The call will take place over two phases, beginning with the submission of pre-proposals. Four pre-proposals will then advance to phase two and be merged through three synergy workshops into one consolidated consortium.

Full application details, including budget and deadlines, will be made available when the call opens.