Research Programme Biodiversity Works

Within the framework of the 'Policy Programme Biodiversity Works', which has been signed by various government ministries, policy subjects in the area of biodiversity shall be investigated in the Research Programme Biodiversity Works. The programme will generate new knowledge for the purpose of policy subjects:

1. dynamic nature
2. ecosystem functions and services
3. and scarcity

Biodiversity is supported by nature management. To date the scientific research necessary for the well-argued conservation and restoration in reserves has paid too little attention to the dynamics in nature and the interactions between ecosystems and/or parts thereof.

Only recently has biodiversity research considered how microbial diversity and the diversity of plants and animals affect each other and consequently how functions and services importance to society are regulated. It is important to understand the link between the dynamics of ecosystems and the diversity in species and functional groups on one hand and the relations between these characteristics with the dynamics and resilience of systems on the other.

For the entire rural area other gaps in knowledge apply. In order to deal with the scarcity of space in rural areas and for a usable and sustainable management of our landscape, a change in approach is needed from the scaling up of nature reserves to the level of the landscape.

Who can apply

Researchers from Dutch universities and from NWO and KNAW institutes. Staff from other research institutes can submit proposals if, in the opinion of NWO, the following criteria are satisfied: the institute is located in the Netherlands; the institute has an independent research arm; the institute has a non-profit status; in the research for which funding is requested, the institute cooperates with a university, which is apparent from a personnel or material contribution to the research from the university, and the researchers enjoy freedom of publication in the international scientific literature.

What can be applied for

Per proposal a maximum grant of € 250,000 can be applied for to cover all reasonable, non-infrastructural costs that must be incurred for the research, such as the appointment of personnel (PhD or postdoc, with possibly the addition of other personnel in connection with specific expertise up to a maximum amount of € 10,000), material facilities (consumables, and travel costs etc., but not equipment) and fieldwork, which do not fall under the standard facilities of the institute.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting full proposals was 1 March 2011, 23:59 hrs

Extra Information

Submitting a full proposal is only possible for applicants that have submitted a pre-proposal. A selected number of applicants has been invited to submit a full proposal, the other applicants have been advised not to pursue their application.

To ensure the connection between research and management and/or policy, applicants are requested to provide an account of the ideas of stakeholders concerning the possible application of the research results. Applicants are urged to substantiate the cooperation with stakeholders as much as possible and include this in the full proposal. In the review procedure specific reference will also be made to recent societal developments and the relation between biodiversity and economics.

Criteria

Criteria full proposal:

1. Scientific quality of the application:

• Originality;
• Innovative character;
• Technology, methodology and feasibility of the proposed approach.

2. Quality, infrastructure and added value of the relevant research groups/stakeholders (fundamental/applied).

3. Opportunities to apply research results: 

• potential contribution that results of and/or insight from the research can make to resolving a problem;
• potential to apply results of the proposed research in the medium or longer term;
• expected cultural, societal, technological or economic impact of the results of the proposed research;
• effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach.

4. Suitability within one or more research themes of the Biodiversity works research programme (referees will not assess this criterion).

Procedure

A review panel of international, independent scientific experts has evaluated and prioritised the pre-proposals and then issued an advice to the steering group. The selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.

Committees

The programme has a steering group, programme committee and a national or international, independent review panel.

Budget

Total budget for this programme is € 3.65 million.

Financiers

NWO Division for Earth and LIfe Sciences (NWO-ALW) and Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

Contacts

• Ms drs. M. van het Groenewoud-Groot
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 06 26, fax: +31 (0)70 381 90 33, e-mail: m.vanhetgroenewoud@nwo.nl
• Drs. M. Los
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 05 08, fax: +31 (0)70 381 90 33, e-mail: m.los@nwo.nl