Six physicists receive Vici grants
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research has awarded a grant to six physicists. The Vici grant is worth 1,5 million euros per applicant. The scientists can use the grant to do research for the next five years and to build up a research group. A total of 34 prominent scientists received a Vici grant.
Below you can read a summary of the six physics-related research proposals awarded funding.
The complete list of the 34 projects awarded funding and the associated press release can be found on the NWO website.
Magnetic monopoles for low power electronics
Prof. dr. ir. A. (Alexander) Brinkman (m), UT – Physics
The electron’s electric charge forms the basis of electronics. For a new class of topological materials, it has been predicted that magnetic charge exists. Researchers will try to detect these so-called magnetic monopoles and control such that these can form the basis for low power electronics.
Strongly Coupled OPtoElectronics (SCOPE)
Prof. dr. J. (Jaime) Gómez Rivas (m), DIFFER
Researchers will create a hybrid state of light and matter to improve the diffusion of excitons (bound states of electrons and electron holes) in materials. Enhancing transport of electrical charges in matter is a major goal to improve optoelectronic devices, e.g., solar cells, LEDs, lasers, photodetectors.
Cosmic neutrinos: a new tool for physics and astronomy
Dr. A.J. (Aart) Heijboer (m), Nikhef
Neutrinos are ghostly elementary particles. A massive neutrino detector at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea will detect neutrinos from outer space. As a result, we will increase our understanding of the spectacular astrophysical objects from where neutrinos originate. In addition, we will be able to unravel the mysterious properties of the neutrinos themselves.
Dark matter at the LHC
Dr. W.D. (Wouter) Hulsbergen (m), Nikhef
Abstract: Scientists are deeply puzzled by the movement of stars in the sky. Galaxies seem surrounded by a cloud of 'dark matter' that pulls at stars but remains otherwise invisible. In this study physicists look for traces of dark matter in collisions at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva.
Cold Opto-Magnetic Switching at the Edge of Time
Dr. A.V. (Alexey) Kimel (m), RU – Institute for Molecules and Materials
Spins (elementary magnets) in magnetic materials are strongly coupled by the exchange interaction – one the strongest quantum forces. Here we aim to develop methods to control this force by light. Through this research we hope to achieve the fastest possible and the most energy efficient magnetic data storage.
Antimatter matters
Dr. N. (Niels) Tuning (m), Nikhef
How do quarks 'feel' each other? Elementary particles 'feel' each other by exchanging force particles, or through the recently discovered Higgs boson. The Higgs boson gives mass to the particles, but is also at the source of small differences between matter and antimatter. Is this the key to better understand the Universe?
34 out of 235
This year 235 researchers submitted a pre-proposal for a Vici grant, from which 138 researchers submitted a full proposal. 60 of these researchers were invited to explain their proposals in front of an evaluation committee. Based on recommendations by international and national scientists, 34 proposals were ultimately selected for funding. This comes down to an award rate of 14.5%.
Statistics
This year, 161 (69%) of the 235 proposals were submitted by men and 74 (31%) by women. In total, 12 of the 34 candidates receiving a grant were female (35%). This comes down to an award rate of 16% for female applicants, which is slightly higher than that of the male applicants (14%).
Changes to the Vici award procedure
NWO will be changing its evaluation procedure starting the next Vici round. In the rounds from 2012 to 2016, the evaluation of Vici pre-proposals and full proposals was largely handled by three 'domain committees', and the final step in the evaluation process, the interview phase, was assessed by a science-wide committee. From 2017 onwards, the entire procedure, including the interviews, will be allocated to five committees: four committees corresponding to the new NWO domains. The fifth committee will handle applications that transcend the boundaries of NWO's domains.
The Talent Scheme: about the Vici grant
The Vici grant is intended for highly experienced researchers who have successfully demonstrated the ability to develop their own innovative line of research and can act as a coach for young researchers. Vici provides researchers with the opportunity to build their own research group, often in anticipation of a tenured position as professor. The Vici grant is one of three types of grant in the Talent Scheme. The other two are the Veni grant (for researchers who have gained their doctorates within the last three years) and the Vidi grant (for experienced postdocs who have received their doctorates within the last 8 years).