Purpose

This programme aims to make research and the academic labour market in the Kingdom of the Netherlands accessible to researchers living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a demonstrable refugee status. In doing so, NWO enables these academics to start or continue their career that was interrupted in their home country and simultaneously enrich the research landscape with the experience and expertise they bring with them.

By making short-term funding available, NWO provides researchers with refugee status in the Kingdom of the Netherlands the opportunity to join already funded NWO or ZonMw research projects in all fields of research and build a network. At the same time these researchers will be able to actively share knowledge and expertise, and to familiarise themselves with the research landscape. This programme therefore functions as point of entry into academia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and expands the opportunities for these academics in the long term.

The involvement of knowledge institutes is vital for long-term success. NWO therefore encourages these organisations to look at options for extending the appointments of competitively successful candidates, or to seek other relevant advancement opportunities.

Who can apply?

Project leaders of current NWO or ZonMw-funded research projects can submit an application, provided their project will overlap with at least the first ten months of the Hestia appointment and if they have a tenured position (and therefore a paid position for an indefinite period) or a tenure track agreement at one of the following organisations:

• universities located in the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
• university medical centres;
• institutes affiliated to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) or NWO;
• Netherlands Cancer Institute;
• the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen;
• Naturalis Biodiversity Center;
• Advanced Research Centre for NanoLithography (ARCNL);
• Princess Máxima Center.

Please see the Call for proposals (chapter 3.1) for a more specific explanation of the requirements for applicants. 

Conditions for Refugee Researchers

Only people who fit the situations described in chapter 3.1.1 of the Call for proposals can be eligible as candidates. On the submission date of 3 March 2026, the potential candidate should possess the residence permit and/or if applicable, the associated documentation for the commencement date of the right to residence.
Researchers with refugee status who are already working as full, associate or assistant professor or a comparable position in academia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands can be applicants, but are not eligible as candidates in this Call for proposals.

Please see the Call for proposals (chapter 3.1.1) for a more specific explanation of the requirements for candidates. 

In the period leading up to your application, please do not send copies of documents containing personal data (such as a residence permit) to NWO in order to answer questions about your eligibility for Hestia. Please note: It is necessary to send proof of your refugee status (e.g. a copy of the front and back of your residence permit) when you officially submit your application. Please send this proof via a password-protected SURFdrive, sending the link and password to hestia@nwo.nl.

What to apply for?

For an application in this Call for proposals, a maximum amount of €200,000.00 can be applied for. The minimum duration of the proposed project is 12 months and the maximum duration is 18 months. In the case of a part-time appointment of the candidate, the duration can be spread over a maximum of 24 months, and the appointment must be at least 0.6 fte, and can be maximum 0.8 fte.

When to apply?

• The deadline for submitting full proposals is March 3, 2026, at 14:00:00 hours CET.