Two Vidi grants awarded worth €800,000

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded 89 experienced researchers Vidi grants each worth € 800,000. Two of the recipients conduct research at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen: Daan Meerburg and Stephan Trenn. The funding enables them to develop their own, innovative line of research and set up a research group.

A total of 590 researchers submitted an admissible research project for funding during this Vidi funding round, eighty-nine of whom received funding. This is an award rate of 15%.

Dr S. (Stephan) Trenn, Johann Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science:
Analysis and control of switched differential algebraic equations
If high-voltage lines are disconnected, huge sparks (electrical arcs) occur in the circuit breakers. If these sparks occur at the wrong time or in the wrong place, the consequences can be dire. Using the new model class of switched differential algebraic equations to model high-voltage networks will enable researchers to describe, analyse and prevent the occurrence of these sparks.

Dr P.D. (Daan) Meerburg, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute & Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity:
The Cosmic Laboratory
The Cosmic Laboratory Conditions in the Universe were extreme, shortly after the Big Bang. This provides us with unique opportunities to test fundamental processes underlying nature . By applying new research methods w hich make the best possible use of Big Data, researchers will seek to find evidence for new physics.

In total, six researchers at the University of Groningen receive the Vidi. Their research topics include genetics, ageing, high-voltage networks, breast milk and sugar metabolism. The Vidi grants, which are awarded annually by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, gives researchers a 5-year time span in which to conduct a research project.

NWO Talent Scheme
Vidi is aimed at experienced researchers who have carried out successful research for a number of years after obtaining a PhD. Together with Veni and Vici, Vidi is part of the NWO Talent Scheme. Researchers in the NWO Talent Scheme are free to submit their own subject for funding. NWO thus encourages curiosity-driven, innovative research. Researchers are selected on the basis of the quality of the researcher him/herself, the innovative nature of the research, the expected scientific impact of the research proposal and the potential use of the knowledge gleaned.