Would you like to submit an NWO Talent or ERC application? Here’s your 5-point plan

18 June 2026 News item

Radboud University researchers applying for a personal grant within the NWO Talent Programme or the ERC can turn to the Personal Grants Team for support.

One-on-one support

The strength of the Personal Grants Team lies in its tailored, one-on-one guidance for researchers preparing a grant application. Support is available at every stage of the process, from answering questions to providing in-depth feedback on draft proposals.

Researchers who are considering an application or already writing one can schedule an appointment without obligation. Support is flexibly tailored to the applicant’s needs.

Information sessions and workshops

In addition to university-wide information sessions on the NWO Talent Programme and the ERC, the team also organizes more advanced sessions for researchers who are further along in the process.

There are also targeted workshops focusing on specific parts of the proposal that many candidates find challenging. In the coming year, the range of these sessions and workshops will be further expanded.

Be aware of eligibility windows

Whether and when you are able to submit an application depends on your PhD completion date. The overview below helps you quickly determine when you are eligible.

Please note: for NWO Veni and Vidi, a maximum of two application attempts is allowed; for Vici, three. For the ERC, there is no fixed limit on the number of attempts within the eligibility window, but restrictions may apply to resubmissions after a low evaluation score.

Plan based on recurring deadlines

Although deadlines may occasionally shift (usually to a later date, giving you more time), there is a clear annual pattern. You can take this into account in your planning. Any changes are announced well in advance and do not affect your eligibility.

Indicative deadlines:

ERC Advanced Grant – end of August
NWO Veni – pre-proposal early September, full proposal end of January
ERC Starting Grant – mid-October
NWO Vidi – pre-proposal early November, full proposal early April
ERC Consolidator Grant – early January
NWO Vici – pre-proposal early March, full proposal early September

Inform early

Are you considering submitting an application? Inform your institute and the Personal Grants Team as early as possible.

Approval from your institute/faculty is required before submission, and early contact with the finance department is essential
The Personal Grants Team can only provide support after approval has been granted
Early contact enables better support

Not sure who to contact, do you have a question, or perhaps already a draft proposal? Get in touch with the Personal Grants Team via personalgrants [at] ru.nl.

Contact information

Organizational unit: Grant Support & Projects