Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ammodo Science Award for groundbreaking research?

The Ammodo Science Award for groundbreaking research is intended to stimulate jointly conducted research that is internationally recognised, high quality and potentially groundbreaking. Each edition, the Award includes a cash prize of 1,600,000 euros for each of the science domains Natural Sciences and Biomedical Sciences and a cash prize of 800,000 euros for each of the science domains Humanities and Social Sciences.

What kind of research qualifies for the Award?

Research that is recognised internationally as being of high quality and (potentially) groundbreaking, and which is carried out at one of the fourteen universities affiliated to UNL and/or at research institutes of the NWO or the KNAW. The winning research will have generated new questions that are potentially groundbreaking and for which no other funding is available.

Why is this Award presented to a group?

This Award is intended to provide recognition to all researchers involved in the project. Members of research teams often remain in the shadows because existing prizes tend to focus on individuals, whereas groundbreaking research is usually achieved through collaboration and the result is the product of team work.

Which scientific domains are eligible for the Award?

The Award is presented every two years in four scientific domains: Biomedical Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.

Who can nominate research for the Award?

Each of the rectors of the fourteen Universities affiliated to the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (UNL) can submit one nomination for each of the relevant disciplines.

When does the nomination round start?

The next nomination period for the Ammodo Science Award for groundbreaking research starts in the spring of 2023.

What does the decision-making procedure look like?

The rectors of the fourteen universities affiliated with UNL may nominate one research group in each of the scientific domains. An advisory committee of renowned professors assesses the nominations for each scientific domain. Each of the advisory committees will put forward a promising candidate within the relevant domain. The board of Ammodo decides on the definitive granting of the Award.

What are the criteria for allocation?

The criteria for allocation of the Award are:

1) The scientific impact of the existing research.

– The research has already led to leading results that can be seen, for example, in publications (journals and/or books or chapters of books), or contributions to scientific conferences or other quality indicators recognised in the field in question.

– The research is leading internationally within its field.

– The research is is groundbreaking and distinguishes itself from other comparable research in terms of quality, originality, results and/or publications and future expectations (continuation of the research).

2) The potential scientific impact of the proposed research/

– The existing research has generated new research questions, and these are potentially groundbreaking.

To be considered for evaluation any research proposal which is submitted must satisfy the following conditions:

– No or insufficient funding is available for the newly generated research questions at the time of submitting the nomination.

– At least one Knowledge Institute must be involved in the research.

– The research can be multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary and at least partly carried out by one or more Dutch knowledge institutes.

– The research may be cross-Domain, but is nominated by the nominator for one Domain chosen by him/her.

By whom should the research be carried out?

The research should be primarily carried out by several researchers who are institutionally and organisationally embedded in one of the fourteen universities affiliated to UNL and/or at research institutes of the NWO or the KNAW.

To whom will the funds obtained through the Award be paid?

The funds granted as the prize for the Award are paid out to one institution only, even if more than one institution is involved in the research. The institution, which receives the money on behalf of the research team, must provide Ammodo with a transparent (annual) account of the use of the funds demonstrating that they have been used efficiently, effectively and properly, i.e. for the designated purpose.

What should the Award be spent on?

There must be a need for funding for the research. The Award can be spent on materials, personnel, exchanges with foreign countries, travel and accommodation costs, as long as it concerns costs that are directly related to the research for which the Award has been granted. The Award may not be used to finance overheads or other costs of the research institute not directly related to the research funded by the Award.

How often is the Award presented?

The Ammodo Science Award for groundbreaking research is presented every two years for research in four scientific disciplines: Biomedical Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.

When will the next award ceremony take place?

The next presentation of the Ammodo Science Award for fundamental research will take place in the spring of 2024.

Where can I find the regulations?

Click here for the Award regulations.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us via asa@ammodo.org.