NWO is expected to open the call Triple Planetary Crisis in the Polar Regions (TRI-POLAR) in March 2026. Our world faces a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These interconnected problems hit the polar regions especially hard, which are warming up to four times faster than average. This call for proposals from the National Science Agenda (NWA) and the Netherlands Polar Program (NPP) focuses on understanding the interaction and convergence of these three crises in the polar regions.

This call for proposals aims to develop new insights and thereby contribute to integrated policy solutions that limit the combined effects and promote sustainable measures, both locally and regionally as well as globally and in the Netherlands.

Budget and duration

The budget for this call for proposals is approximately 20ac9,500,000 for one full application. The project duration is up to eight years. The deadline for submitting the application is Thursday, September 17, 2026, before 14:00:00 CET.

Information webinar

For this call, NWO organizes an information webinar on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in which more information about the call is provided and participants can ask questions. 

Participation is free and registration can be done via the form on the event page:

Collaborative workshop

To support interested parties in the call in forming consortia, NWO organizes a collaborative workshop in Utrecht on June 2, 2026. During this workshop, participants can exchange ideas and jointly initiate a consortium. Participation in the collaborative workshop is mandatory for main applicants.  Registration is possible when the call opens. 

National Science Agenda Program  

The foundation of the establishment and renewal of the National Science Agenda lies with citizens. In the NWA program, the connection between society and science is essential. Governments, researchers, social organizations, and citizens jointly develop and utilize knowledge to achieve scientific and societal impact. And through science communication, knowledge is shared in society to increase involvement and trust in science. 

Disclaimer

This message is a pre-announcement of a research program by NWO. The possibility to apply for funding is open after publication of a call for proposals in the Staatscourant.