Collaboration in Innovative Technologies 2021

Pioneering applied technologies (Closed for submission)

This call is now closed.

The Netherlands eScience Center invites ICT researchers working in the Netherlands to apply for projects addressing FAIR-enabling technologies or data-efficient AI, and involving in-kind investment of research software engineers.

Purpose of this call 

This call for proposals seeks to transform highly innovative, fundamental knowledge from computer science into applied technologies designed to have a substantial impact on research across the disciplines. The specific technology areas covered by this call are

  • FAIR-enabling technologies
  • Data-efficient AI

The call is intended for

  • researchers coming from a technical discipline (computer science, data science, AI, etc.), or from a research discipline with a focus on technology development, who have a pronounced interest in making their research applicable to other disciplines

These researchers will collaborate with

  • experts in applied technologies (i.e. research software engineers) at the Netherlands eScience Center; they will be assigned to the project to develop the technology as a reusable, sustainable and fully engineered product, provide documentation, set up training events and help identify and connect to stakeholders

A competitive proposal aims to deliver open technologies in the form of e.g. software libraries, algorithms or methods that potentially foster breakthroughs in research across the disciplines.

A case needs to be made for innovative and impactful deployment of the software beyond the research project. Commitment of project partners to sustain the software developed in the project is central to this call, as well as explicit support from researchers outside the project team to support, validate or use the software.

For more information, please download the full Technologies 2021 Call for Proposals below.

Who may apply?

Proposals can be submitted by researchers from any Dutch university (including university medical centres) or research institute affiliated with NWO or KNAW. Each proposal is to be formally submitted by a single named researcher (the ‘Lead Applicant or LP) on behalf of a team comprising researchers from one or more institutes. 

The Lead Applicant:

  • should come from a technical discipline (computer science, data science, AI, etc.), or from a research discipline with a focus on technology development
  • be in possession of a PhD
  • hold a permanent contract at a Dutch research performing organisation as specified above; in case the LA holds a contract based on tenure track, the eScience Center should be consulted
  • ensure a minimal personal commitment of 0.2 fte per year to the project

In-kind matching for the duration of the project of a researcher on postdoc level with an in-depth understanding of fundamental research is mandatory.

To maximize the added value and impact for applicants, the technological needs and requirements of the project should match with the expertise of the eScience Center. Broadly defined, the Center’s current areas of expertise include:

  • AI: machine learning, image processing
  • Analytics: big data analytics, text analysis, visualization
  • Data processing: databases, real-time data analysis, interoperability and linked data
  • Computing: exploitation of hardware accelerators, high performance computing, cloud computing, combining simulations
  • Software quality: developing workflow technologies, improving software practices, advancing software sustainability

For a complete list of requirements, please download the full Technologies 2021 Call for Proposals below.

What can be applied for?

The call makes available in-kind support by allocating the time of Research Software Engineers (RSEs) employed by the eScience Center to the project. The eScience Center’s in-kind contribution is calculated in ‘person years’ or PYR. A project may be requested for an in kind budget of 3.0 PYR of Research Software Engineers (RSE). The project duration should typically be between 24 and 36 months.

This call is open for proposals in the following two technology areas.

1. FAIR-enabling technologies

2. Data-efficient AI

When to apply?

The updated deadline for submission of full proposals is: Thursday 9 September 2021, 14:00 CET. Full proposals must be submitted in ISAAC. To submit a full proposal, select your previously submitted proposition in ISAACs ‘Aanvragen’ (‘Applications’) menu, and convert the proposition to a ‘Aanvraag’.

For more information, please see the full Technologies 2021 Call for Proposals below.

Information event

To inform interested applicants of the specific aims of this call for proposals, as well as the role and expertise of the eScience Center, an information event will be organized on 30 March 2021 (14.00-16.00). The event will take place online. Missed it? Watch our recording.

Contact details

Programme Director Netherlands eScience Center
Tel.: +31 (0)20 460 4770
Email: 

Downloads

Collaboration and Innovative Technologies full call text 
Software Management template
Terms and Conditions (in Dutch)
Project Proposal
IP Rules