The KIC call “Adaptivity in Transitions” is now open for applications, offering a total budget of €7,000,000. The call aims to generate insights, perspectives for action, and the capacity to increase adaptivity in systems and actors involved in societal transitions.
Mission-driven innovation for transitions takes place in a dynamic and complex environment. Adaptivity is essential for both systems and organizations, as well as the individuals involved, to maintain resilience, respond to disruptions and opportunities, stimulate innovation, and achieve long-term goals. However, strategies to enhance and apply adaptivity effectively for sustainable transitions remain underexplored.
The call focuses on research in three specific transition contexts: the transition of the food system, the transition to sustainable mobility, and the transition of the energy system in the built environment. Applicants may request funding between €1,500,000 and €2,000,000 from NWO, which will cover up to 80% of the total project budget. The remaining funds must come from mandatory co-funding, with NWO contributions never falling below 50% of the total project scope. Proposed projects can run for a maximum of six years, and the deadline for full applications is 9 June 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
To encourage collaboration and provide guidance, NWO is hosting several meetings. An online information session will take place on 20 January from 14:00 to 15:00, offering details about the call and the submission process. Additionally, two collaborative workshops are scheduled for 2 February and 2 March at Antropia in Driebergen, where participants can exchange ideas, form consortia, and network. Principal applicants are required to attend both workshops to be eligible to submit a proposal.
NWO’s innovation programs address societal challenges in the Netherlands, focusing on generating impact for the economy, society, and people. These programs emphasize cooperation between knowledge institutions, private sector partners, and government, ensuring that research outcomes contribute to economic opportunities. Active participation by companies in every project is a mandatory requirement.
