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Career development of the NWO Talent Programme laureates

data publication
Science in Figures
15 December 2023
Academic careers
The NWO Talent Programme (formerly Vernieuwingsimpuls) aims to ensure the inflow of scientific talent into the scientific system. The graph below shows how the positions of laureates of the NWO Talent Programme changed between 2002 and 2022.

In short

  • It appears that many of the laureates move on to a higher scientific position after receiving their grant.
  • Among the laureates, the share of postdocs and assistant professors is decreasing sharply.
  • The NWO Talent Programme has a positive effect on the scientific career of researchers in the form of a permanent position, an improvement in function, conducting groundbreaking research and bringing in new subsidies.
Source: Annual account Dutch Research Council (NWO) 2022
Notes: NWO promotes and finances scientific research at universities and institutes in the Netherlands. Since 2000, NWO features an encompassing programme with the objective of improving research at universities and research institutes and enhancing career perspectives for young researchers: the NWO Talent Programme. This programme is a personal grant targeting three groups (since 2002): those who recently obtained their doctorate degree (Veni), postdoctorate researchers (Vidi) and experienced researchers (Vici). The data cover all the laureates from the start of the current NWO Talent Programme in 2002 whose initial and final position is known.

Analysis
The NWO Talent Programme aims to ensure the inflow of scientific talent in the scientific community. NWO assesses and honors researchers research proposals. In particular, the Veni grant is aimed at postdoctoral researchers who aspire to a career in science. NWO data show career development for awarded researchers, not only from the Veni and Vidi grants, but also those of Vici grants. It appears that many of the laureates move on to an academic position after several years.  Among the laureates, the share of postdocs and assistant professors is decreasing sharply.

An evaluation in 2007 among the applicants of the program showed that it has a positive effect on the scientific career of researchers in the form of a permanent position, an improvement in function, conducting groundbreaking research and bringing in new subsidies. This led in 2008 to an increase in the budget for this program.
 

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