HomeNewsUniversity of Twente receives European research grants of more than 13 million euros

University of Twente receives European research grants of more than 13 million euros

The University of Twente is doing well at attracting European research funding. Twenty-five research projects submitted by UT researchers within the EU's Horizon 2020 programme have been accepted. A total of more than 13 million euros has now been awarded. The UT has thus scored well above the European average. Rolf Vermeij, who assists UT researchers with the acquisition of European funds, expects that a total of more than 15 million euros will be awarded this round of the Horizon 2020 programme.

Europe is becoming increasingly important for the funding of scientific research. Within the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme a total of 80 billion euros has been earmarked for research and innovation between 2014 and 2020. Excellent scientific research, collaboration between different scientific disciplines, collaboration with the business community and the addressing of major social problems are essential to qualify for this European research funding. And according to Vermeij, the UT particularly excels on these points. "Looking beyond the boundaries of disciplines and seeking connections with other organizations, these are traditionally things that we are good at in Twente. For many Twente researchers, this has become second nature."

Ed Brinksma, Rector Magnificus of the University of Twente, is also very pleased with the UT's excellent score: "I am especially delighted that the Vision2020 objective ‘excellent in disciplines, unique on combinations’ is very clearly endorsed by this success. A great compliment for all researchers involved."

Excellent researchers

Vermeij and his colleagues from the EU office assist research groups with the writing and submission of their research proposals. This way of working appears to be effective, but according Vermeij is only one of the factors underlying the UT's good score. "Ultimately, the excellence of our researchers is the greatest reason for the success."

UT's MIRA and MESA+ research institutes did best this year with respectively eight and six accepted proposals. IGS research institute also did very well. Twenty-seven percent of this research institute's proposals were granted, a very high success rate.

The departments that did best financially are Optical Sciences and Energy, Materials and Systems. They received 2.8 and 2.1 million euros respectively. Three projects by the Department of Molecular Nanofabrication were accepted and thus has the UT's highest number of awarded projects. 

Interim score

The bulk of European subsidies for this year have been awarded, but the 25 approved projects are only an interim score. Vermeij expects the UT to be awarded more than 15 million euros in these rounds of the Horizon 2020 programme. In this programma six more calls will follow, with a yearly increasing budget.