Most laureates go to renowned research institutions in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. Other destinations include Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Finland, Denmark and Spain.

Research topics cover the reason for the continued wage gap between men and women, the effects of chemicals on biodiversity and how to stop bullying, for example. Most researchers will be leaving for two years, others for twelve to eighteen months.

Important step

In total the Dutch Research Council (NWO) received 76 applications for the grant, 31.6 percent of which were approved. NWO believes work experience abroad is an important step in the careers of young scientists. Even more so because it is a step towards winning the highly coveted Veni, Vidi and Vici research grants.

The coronavirus crisis may still cause delays for travel abroad. The researchers who receive Rubicon funding will not leave the Netherlands “until the situation is safe for them”, writes the Dutch Research Council.

Rounds

NWO plans to hold two more rounds to award the grant, funding a total of sixty researchers. A total of seven million euros is annually distributed among young researchers. The level of funding they will receive depends on the duration of their stay and their destination.