Overview
Where NWO stands on contributorship and open research
As a founding member of cOAlition S, NWO mandates immediate open access under Plan S for funded publications. NWO has been a leading advocate of recognition and rewards reform in the Netherlands, emphasising a broader view of academic contribution. NWO does not mandate CRediT by name, but its open-science and responsible-assessment framework supports transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on the resulting publications.
CRediT status: Encouraged - Guidance or programme calls reference CRediT, but formal policy text is silent.
Open access
NWO Open Access policy (Plan S aligned; founding cOAlition S member)
NWO requires that peer-reviewed publications resulting from funded research be made open access immediately on publication under an open licence (CC BY by default). As a founding member of cOAlition S, NWO was central to the launch of Plan S in 2018 and supports the Rights Retention Strategy.
Research data management
Data sharing requirements
NWO Data Management Plan required for funded projects; FAIR-aligned; "as open as possible, as closed as necessary".
Submission and reporting
How NWO researchers apply and report
| Primary submission system | ISAAC (the NWO online application and grant-management system) |
| Biosketch / CV format | NWO narrative/evidence-based CV aligned with the Recognition and Rewards agenda |
| Reporting cycle | Project reports via ISAAC; outputs made openly available |
NWO applicants submit through the ISAAC application system. Funded projects must provide a Data Management Plan and make peer-reviewed publications immediately open access under an open licence. NWO supports ORCID. NWO has been a driving force behind the Dutch "Recognition and Rewards" programme, which broadens how academic contributions (including teaching, leadership, and open science) are assessed, and behind the national push toward open science.
Contributorship guidance
How NWO handles contributor attribution
NWO defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications, while its Recognition and Rewards agenda promotes a broader and more transparent view of who contributes to research and how. CRediT is widely used on NWO-funded publications because most journals require it.
For authors
Publishing from NWO funding
When publishing from NWO funding, make the peer-reviewed article open access immediately under an open licence (CC BY by default), either via an open-access journal or by depositing the accepted manuscript under the Rights Retention Strategy. Acknowledge NWO funding using the standard format that names the Dutch Research Council and the project number. Include a CRediT statement at the publisher's request, and maintain your FAIR-aligned Data Management Plan, depositing data in a trusted repository where appropriate.
For general CRediT submission guidance across publishers, see CRediT for authors.
Notable initiatives
NWO programmes and infrastructure
- Founding member of cOAlition S / Plan S
- Dutch Recognition and Rewards programme
- Open Science NL
- National Open Access deals via the Dutch universities (VSNU/UNL)
Notes
Caveats and context
NWO's Recognition and Rewards leadership makes it a useful bellwether for how contribution and assessment norms are evolving across Europe.
Frequently asked
Common questions about NWO
- Does NWO require CRediT?
- NWO does not require CRediT at the policy-text level, but guidance and programme materials reference it. As a founding member of cOAlition S, NWO mandates immediate open access under Plan S for funded publications. NWO has been a leading advocate of recognition and rewards reform in the Netherlands, emphasising a broader view of academic contribution. NWO does not mandate CRediT by name, but its open-science and responsible-assessment framework supports transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on the resulting publications.
- What is NWO's open access policy?
- NWO Open Access policy (Plan S aligned; founding cOAlition S member). NWO requires that peer-reviewed publications resulting from funded research be made open access immediately on publication under an open licence (CC BY by default). As a founding member of cOAlition S, NWO was central to the launch of Plan S in 2018 and supports the Rights Retention Strategy.
- How do I report contributorship to NWO?
- NWO defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications, while its Recognition and Rewards agenda promotes a broader and more transparent view of who contributes to research and how. CRediT is widely used on NWO-funded publications because most journals require it.
- Where do I submit a NWO application?
- NWO applications are submitted through ISAAC (the NWO online application and grant-management system). NWO applicants submit through the ISAAC application system. Funded projects must provide a Data Management Plan and make peer-reviewed publications immediately open access under an open licence. NWO supports ORCID. NWO has been a driving force behind the Dutch "Recognition and Rewards" programme, which broadens how academic contributions (including teaching, leadership, and open science) are assessed, and behind the national push toward open science.
- What is NWO's data sharing requirement?
- NWO Data Management Plan required for funded projects; FAIR-aligned; "as open as possible, as closed as necessary". Researchers should follow the data-management plan submitted with the application and deposit data in a recognised repository where appropriate.
References
Sources
- NWO Open Access policy
- NWO Data Management policy
- Dutch Recognition and Rewards programme
