Two Rubicon grants for physics
This week, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded funding from the Rubicon programme to two young, highly promising researchers with a physics research theme or a physics component in their research. With Rubicon, NWO gives Dutch scientists who have recently gained their PhD the opportunity to gain research experience abroad. The programme also offers talented researchers from abroad the opportunity to spend a maximum period of two years doing research in the Netherlands. NWO can therefore use this instrument to encourage the mobility of scientific talent. A total of 28 Rubicon grants were awarded this week.
Dr. Helgi Ingólfsson (Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States) will carry out research at Radboud University Nijmegen into the side effects of medicines at the molecular level. Medicines frequently have side effects due to the disruptions they cause in the cell membrane. The aim of this research is to clarify the molecular basis for this effect with the aid of computer models, so that better medicines can be designed.
Dr. Abraham Shultz (Northwestern University, Illinois, United States) will work at the University of Amsterdam packaging photocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis. The growing world population and its rising demand for energy means that sunlight will be needed as a source of sustainable energy. Artificial photosynthesis, in which sunlight is used to convert water into energy-rich hydrogen gas, is a very attractive approach. The researcher will study the embedding of existing and new catalysts in well-defined, crystalline materials and the immobilisation of these on electrode surfaces. This will lead to new applications for upscalable photocatalysis, a process in which sunlight can be converted into chemical energy.
Rubicon
The aim of the Rubicon programme is to keep talented researchers from Dutch universities and KNAW/NWO research institutes in science once they have completed their PhD research. These young researchers can use a Rubicon grant to gain experience at a foreign top institute or an excellent Dutch research institute for a maximum period of two years. However, the grant should preferably be used to gain research experience abroad. The level of funding awarded depends upon the destination chosen. Dutch institutes that provide accommodation for a foreign researcher over a period of one year receive € 55,000.
The grant's name is taken from the river Rubicon, which Julius Caesar crossed before he embarked upon his series of victories that led to the saying 'veni, vidi, vici'. Rubicon is a good springboard for a Veni grant from NWO's Innovational Research Incentives Scheme.
Extra cofunding from Brussels
For the 2010 and 2011 funding rounds, NWO has requested and received cofunding from the 'Marie Curie Cofund Action' programme of the European Commission. This European funding is a one-off award.
Two new rounds in 2011
In 2011 there is sufficient funding for a further two rounds. The deadlines for submitting proposals are 1 September and 1 December 2011 respectively. For further information please visit www.nwo.nl.
The full list of awarded proposals and further information about Rubicon can be found on NWO's website.