The European Research Council (ERC) stimulates high-quality research in Europe by making funds available and supporting groundbreaking research. The ERC mainly honours applications for research that bridges the boundaries of various disciplines, explores ideas in newly emerging research areas, or seeks solutions using an unconventional and innovative approach.

The ERC distributes grants and scholarships on the basis of an open contest for projects undertaken by new as well as experienced researchers, regardless of their nationality or age.

Only one single criterion applies: research excellence. A number of UvA researchers have in recent years been awarded ERC grants worth up to €2.5 million.

2019 and 2020 ERC Grants

• Eight UvA researchers receive ERC Starting Grants
• ERC Advanced Grant for UvA physicists Jan de Boer and Daniel Bonn
• Seven UvA researchers receive ERC Consolidator Grants
• Prestigious ERC Starting Grants awarded to 10 UvA researchers

See a list ERC grants awarded to UvA researchers in previous years.

The NWO Spinoza Prize is the most prestigious academic award in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) awards the prize to Dutch researchers who are among the world‘s most eminent scholars and scientists.

The Spinoza prize, €2.5 million, is awarded to scholars and scientists for outstanding, groundbreaking and inspiring research which they can spend on a research topic of their choice.

Laureates 

• Annemarie Mol, professor of Anthropology of the Body (2012)
• Patti Valkenburg, professor of Youth and Media (2011)
• Erik Verlinde, professor of Theoretical Physics (2011)
• Joep Leersen, professor of European Studies (2008)
• Lex Schrijver,professor of Mathematics and Optimalisation (2005)
• Michiel van der Klis, professor of Astronomy (2004)
• Robbert Dijkgraaf, professor of Mathematical Physics (2003)
• Ad Lagendijk, professor of Experimental Physics (2002)
• Ronald Plasterk, professor of Molecular Biology (1999)
• Johan van Benthem, professor of Pure and Applied Logic (1996)

The NWO Talent Programme provides three grants for talented, creative researchers who engage in innovative research. The grants are targeted towards different stages in a researcher’s scientific career:

• Veni Grants: researchers who have recently obtained their PhD
• Vidi Grants: researchers who have gained several years of research experience after their PhD
• Vici Grants: senior researchers who have demonstrated an ability to develop their own line of research

2020 Veni, Vidi and Vici grants 

• NWO Vici grants worth 1.5 million euros for three UvA researchers

2019 Veni, Vidi and Vici grants 

• Three UvA researchers receive NWO Vici grants worth €1.5 million
• Vidi grant awarded to 11 UvA and AMC-UvA researchers
• Veni research grants for 23 UvA researchers