The Van Gogh Programme promotes exchanges between researchers within specific research projects and annually supports around 40 researchers from France and about the same number of researchers from the Netherlands.
Scientific development
The programme supports research projects focused on developing science. Often, these projects involve (fundamental) research within a specific field of expertise. This involves the research teams using each other's research facilities, unique collections and archives and specific research methods.
These collaborations often lead to bilateral joint PhD tracks, joint publications in renowned peer reviewed journals and collaborations within an EU context.
Target group
Van Gogh grant holders are excellent researchers with an outstanding tenure track and international exposure. Prospective candidates include, among others, Veni, Vidi Vici scholars, French and Dutch ERC scholars, Spinoza Price winners, members of De Jonge Academie and their French counterparts.
Researchers recognised as excellent by their own institution may also apply.
Conditions
Researchers who live in the Netherlands and who wish to receive a grant to visit their French colleagues, have to be employed by a Dutch research and knowledge centre that collaborates with French researchers or would like to. The French researchers must receive a travel grant from the French Van Gogh Programme as well to visit their Dutch colleagues.
In principle, the grants are available for all academic fields. However, the topic of an application must be the same on the French and Dutch side, with applicants seeking complementarity.
Preferably, the topics of the research projects are included in the EU's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation agenda. Active participation and mobility of young researchers, particularly PhD students and post docs, is an important condition. Preference is given to new (types of) research collaboration.
Donation
Every year 15 to 20 research teams receive a donation of between €1,500 and €3,500. A donation consists of one or several travel and accommodation grants. A one-off extension can be requested after the first year, only if the grant has been fully spent in the first year. Please note that your French colleagues also need to submit an extension request at the French counterpart.
The following conditions apply to applicants from the Netherlands:
The donation is between €1,500 and €3,500 per research team per year.
The grants may only be used for travel and accommodation expenses in France.
Travel costs: actuals of up to €350 per person per return trip;
Accommodation: up to €110 per person per day;
The costs made by other members of the research team may also be covered.
Nuffic pays the expenses of Dutch researchers travelling to France.
Read more on the grant and how to apply here.