NWO has granted ‘Startimpuls’ (Initial Boost) funding to consortia that will conduct thematic research within three themes related to current issues of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This concerns eight routes of the Dutch National Research Agenda. The Startimpuls funding (a maximum of €2,500,000 per programme) is an initial investment from the Ministry to begin the implementation of the National Research Agenda.
The awarded programmes that CWI and QuSoft are involved in, are:
Route: The origin of life – on earth and in space
Programme title: Origins Center
Main applicant: Prof. dr. Ben Feringa, University of Groningen
Consortium partners: Erasmus University Medical Cente, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Wageningen University and Research Centre, AMOLF, CWI, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Netherlands Cancer Institute, NIOO-KNAW, SRON.
The Origins Center will focus on multidisciplinary, innovative research that can answer questions about the origin and the future of life in an ever-changing environment, from a molecular to a planetary scale.
Route: The quantum/nano revolution
Programme title: Cornerstones of the Quantum/Nano Revolution
Main applicant: Prof.dr.ing. Dave Blank, University of Twente
Consortium partners: Academic Medical Center, Erasmus University Medical Cente, University Medical Center Groningen, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University and Research Centre, RIVM, Saxion, TNO, Enceladus, Galapagos, Intel, Micronit, Naturalis, NFI, RIKILT, Shell, QuSoft, QuTech.
Nanotechnology and quantum physics can contribute to major societal challenges. With this funding, three core research topics of the Netherlands are supported: the development of new medicine and biomolecules, energy-efficient data processing and safe communication on the quantum internet.
For more information about the Startimpuls funding and the other awarded programmes, please visit the NWO website.
