In the ZonMw Open Competition round 2025, 31 research teams have been selected for a grant from a total budget of more than €26 million. This funding enables the research groups to develop innovative team science initiatives that contribute to the renewal of fundamental (bio)medical science and healthcare.
A wide and diverse range of topics being investigated
The 31 research teams will investigate a wide range of topics within the field of fundamental (bio)medical research. For example, one team is investigating how the protein HMGA1 can stimulate the heart to recover after an infarct, while another team studies the biological causes of 'chemobrain' to prevent cognitive decline in cancer patients. Research is also being conducted into how electroconvulsive therapy restores balance in the brain in cases of depression, and how reducing DNA replication stress can increase the success rates of IVF treatments. This and much more can be found in the complete overview of the research teams receiving this funding.
Purpose of the ZonMw Open Competition program
The ZonMw Open Competition programme aims to provide space for curiosity-driven and creative collaboration among researchers, leading to groundbreaking science. The programme specifically targets researchers from two or more disciplines who synergistically promote excellent team science. Applications are assessed and ranked based on the criteria of relevance and quality. Knowledge utilization and participation are also key evaluation points. All awarded applications include a solid plan for knowledge utilization and participation, aligned with the research objectives.