€ 2.8 million is available for research into economic structural change and broad prosperity in South Holland through a new NWA call from NWO. ‘Economic Structural Change in South Holland - Space for an economy that contributes to broad prosperity’ is the name of this call. The first step is to assemble a research team.
What is NWO?
NWO is the Dutch Research Council. It is one of the main organizations that distributes funds for scientific research in the Netherlands. Universities and knowledge institutions can apply for grants via NWO for research into social issues.
What is this research about?
South Holland faces major choices. We have a strong and innovative economy, including the port, horticulture, high-tech and knowledge institutions. At the same time:
- economic growth lags behind comparable regions in Europe
- not everyone benefits from broad prosperity
- space in our province is scarce
We therefore need to make smart choices about how to use space for living, working, nature and energy. This research aims to better understand how our economic structure can be renewed, which choices contribute to broad prosperity, and how economy, space and society can be better balanced.
What is an NWA call?
This research falls under the National Science Agenda (NWA). This is a national program in which government and science collaborate on important social questions. A ‘call’ means that NWO invites researchers to submit proposals for research. In this case, it concerns one large multi-year research program for South Holland.
Who is this intended for?
The call is intended for:
- researchers from universities and colleges
- knowledge institutions and research organizations
- experts and companies from various fields, such as economics, spatial planning, sustainability and public administration
Interested parties first register individually with a short motivation. Then a maximum of 30 experts are selected who together develop one research proposal.
Planning
- online information meeting NWO: 16 March 2026
- registration deadline (Expression of Interest): 9 April 2026
More information and registration can be found on the NWO website.
This research program is realized with active support from NWO, the province of South Holland, the municipalities of The Hague and Rotterdam, and the Ministries of Housing and Spatial Planning and Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.