Support our work
NL
Decorative header background

Research projects

    • NIN aims to co-fund a number of collaborative Ph.D. projects between NIN group leaders and psychiatrists/ psychiatry researchers in the Netherlands at the PI level.

 

    • Because we hope that this initiative will also increase the number of young psychiatrists interested in neuroscience, these Ph.D. projects shall preferentially be carried out by an MD with psychiatry ANIOS experience or a psychiatrist in training. Alternatives are possible such as a “tandem structure” in which a psychiatrist in training works together with a PhD candidate who does or does not hold an MD.

 

    • The project needs to have a clear interaction between fundamental neuroscience research  + clinical research.

 

    • Only one research proposal per NIN group leader can be submitted.

 

    • A selection committee will have the proposals reviewed internationally based on selection criteria.

 

Funding of selected projects

 

    • NIN will appoint and pay for the MD / PhD candidates’ salary + bench fee

 

    • NIN asks the collaborating psychiatry departments to fund the involvement of the psychiatrist in training and if possible, reinvest the PhD bonus for future projects in this program.

 

    • Exact types of appointments and funding ratios will be flexible, we understand that it will need to fit the needs of the candidates. Excellence of the research project is leading.

 

Criteria and Eligibility

 

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN) will open a call for project proposals at the interface of psychiatry and brain research in December 2025. Proposals should meet the following scientific requirements:

 

Scientific Criteria

Proposed projects must:

    • Investigate biological mechanisms in the brain or measurable indicators of brain function.
    • Demonstrate clear relevance for individuals affected by conditions involving significant psychiatric symptoms.
    • Make use of NIN facilities, techniques, and/or scientific expertise.

 

Evaluation Criteria

In addition to the above requirements, projects will be evaluated based on:

    • Scientific excellence
    • Potential long-term impact on clinical practice (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, prevention)
    • Feasibility of the research plan
    • Novelty and originality, both in the idea and in the collaborative approach
    • Involvement of a psychiatrist in training is considered a plus
    • Applications involving multiple NIN group leaders are also stimulated

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding:

    • At least one applicant must be a clinician (psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, etc.) actively treating patients with the psychiatric symptoms being studied.
    • At least one applicant must be a group leader at the NIN.
    • Each applicant may submit only one proposal (also when it involves co-applications).
    • All applicants must hold a PhD or MD degree and have a tenured or tenure track academic or clinical position.

 

Funding Details
    • Maximum budget: €380,000 per project
    • 2-3 projects can be funded
    • Further details on budget allocation and eligible expenses will be provided in the official call document.

 

Deadline for submission of research proposals is expected to be in February 2026