The call Digital Twinning - current and accurate models for insight, optimization, and decision-making is now open for applications. This call focuses on the development of innovative knowledge for Digital Twins and their application in various societal domains. Digital Twins, digital representations of systems or processes, enable the analysis, prediction, and improvement of complex situations. A total of €7,000,000 is available for this call.
Current and Reliable Digital Twins for Societal Impact
The call focuses on research that leads to current, accurate, and applicable Digital Twins, which can be used for insight into complex processes, structural optimization, and well-informed decision-making. Application areas can be broad: from healthcare and energy to agriculture, industry, safety, and mobility. NWO aims to develop public-private consortia that advance both fundamental knowledge and concrete application scenarios.
The call encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between technical, social, and behavioral sciences, practice organizations, and companies. Additionally, the call explicitly addresses issues such as data usage, linking and integrating Digital Twins, autonomous decision-making using a Digital Twin, and the responsible use of Digital Twins.
Budget and Conditions
NWO allocates €7,000,000 for this call. For an application within this call, between €1,500,000 and €2,200,000 can be requested from NWO funding, and it is expected that four applications will be granted. NWO finances a maximum of 80% of the total project size; the remaining funds are provided through mandatory co-financing.
A consortium must consist of at least a principal applicant, a co-applicant, and at least two co-financiers, possibly supplemented by collaboration partners from science and practice.
Matchmaking on February 3, 2026
To support the formation of strong consortia, NWO organizes a matchmaking meeting on February 3, 2026. Participation is not mandatory but strongly recommended. During the matchmaking, participants can share ideas, address missing expertise, and meet potential partners. When registering for the matchmaking, it is possible to submit a research idea.
This program was developed together with the Knowledge and Innovation Agendas (KIA): KIA Digitization and KIA Key Technologies.
NWO-KIC: Innovation Programs in the Knowledge and Innovation Agreement
NWO develops innovation programs focused on the societal challenges of the Netherlands with the goal of realizing impact for the economy, people, and society. These programs emphasize collaboration between knowledge institutions, private parties, and government. The results contribute to realizing economic opportunities. It is therefore essential that private parties invest in every research project.
