This month, Pieter Bruijnincx received a Vidi grant for his research on catalytic processes for converting biomass. With this grant of 800.000 Euro, he can expand his line of research in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group. This research project will focus on the development of catalysts that are inspired by nature.
Bruijnincx: “Nature has found elegant solutions to make complex processes possible and control them. With these solutions as inspiration, I’m going to develop new, dynamic processes and catalysts to convert biomass into sustainable chemicals and fuels .”
Vidi grant
The Vidi grant from NWO is aimed on outstanding researchers who have performed several years of successful research, after their promotion. Scientists that receive the Vidi grant, belong to the best ten to twenty percent of their field. The election s based on the quality of the scientist, the innovative character of their research, the expected scientific impact of the research proposal and the opportunities for knowledge utilization.
In 2013, 540 researchers submitted to the NWO for a Vidi application; ultimately, 88 of them were actually awarded with a Vidi grant. With a Vidi grant, scientists can set up their own research group.