Cultural Dynamics

The theme Cultural Dynamics is a multidisciplinary research programme into the dynamic role of cultural heritage and the interaction between culture and society in both the past and the present. In this programme, culture is defined in the broadest sense of the word to cover both material and non-material aspects. Examples are architecture, expressive arts, theatre, music, new cultural expressions that have been made possible by the new media and technology, but also the customs and rituals that are culturally determined. The process of how cultural heritage is formed and the link between culture and identity are the main foci of this programme. In view of the international character of the theme, the research is not solely limited to the Dutch situation. Moreover, it concerns not only descriptions of current developments, relationships and situations but also the recognition and analysis of processes with a certain temporal depth that form the core of cultural dynamics.

Who can apply

Experienced senior researchers at Dutch institutes for higher education and research and/or experienced senior researchers at institutes recognised by NWO. 

What can be applied for

Applications may only be submitted for research projects that elaborate on the perspective intermediality and/or popular culture. Applicants are requested to make links from the perspective intermediality and/or popular culture with one or more other perspectives within the theme programme so that applications genuinely fit within the overall framework of the theme programme.

The grant is intended for at least two researchers to be funded by NWO, for which at least one must be a PhD position. Other possibilities are postdocs or the possible replacement of a senior researcher, as long as this leads to one or more publications within the framework of the programme. For proposals in which the research takes place in developing countries the following apply: the research team contains at least one applicant from a partner institute in the developing country concerned and at least one PhD student or postdoc from a developing country.

The maximum size of the grant is € 450,000. The research projects have a maximum duration of 5 years.

• PhD positions (maximum fundable period 4 years, with the option of part-time work for which a maximum period of 5 years applies)
• Postdoc positions (maximum fundable period 3 years, with the option of part-time work, for which a maximum period of 4 years applies)
• Replacement subsidy for the programme leadership (maximum grant contribution € 25,000 on the basis of 0.5 fte for which spreading the amount over several years is permitted)
• Researchers from developing countries can ultimately be appointed with a monthly allowance.
• Costs related to internationalisation
• Research costs for research in developing countries
• Costs associated with the dissemination of the research results
• Bench fee

When can be applied

Closing date for submitting applications (full proposals only) was 4 June 2009, 12:00 hrs.

Extra Information

In November 2009, the Cultural Dynamics Programme Committee will announce which proposals will receive funding.

Criteria

During the assessment the applications will be assessed against three main criteria: scientific quality, added value and relevance.

I Scientific quality

• originality of the research question and/or method  
• scientific importance of the proposed research
• clarity of the research question
• suitability of the approach/methodology
• feasibility of the research proposal, including quality of the research group, the infrastructure and the work plan

II Added value

• the correlation between the description of the research project and the projects within this, and between the separate projects (added value of the programmatic set-up)
• organisation of the research project and embedding

III Relevance

• social and cultural relevance
• knowledge dissemination
• international orientation
• multidisciplinary cooperation

See the call for proposals under Documentation.

Procedure

The full proposals will be assessed by a selection committee. This committee will call upon external referees. The selection committee will prioritise all proposals considered to be fundable and will submit this recommendation to the programme committee. The programme committee will assess the selection procedure and decide which proposals to fund.

All the documents connected with the application will be dealt with confidentially.

See the call for proposals under Documentation.

Committees

Programme committee

See the site of Cultural Dynamics.

Selection Committee

Composition will be announced later.

Budget

Maximum per application € 450,000.

Financiers

NWO Division for the Humanities, NWO Division for the Social Sciences, and WOTRO Science for Global Development.

Contacts

• Mw. dr. E.O. Gerritsen
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 08 21, e-mail: e.gerritsen@nwo.nl
• Mw. drs. D.C.J. Borsboom
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 09 06, e-mail: d.borsboom@nwo.nl
• Mw. dr. C.J.H. Govers
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 06 09, e-mail: c.govers@nwo.nl