In short
NWO's policy on the use of generative AI (January 2025) welcomes AI use when preparing a grant application, if applicants use it responsibly. Applicants must be transparent about AI use when writing the application and may not include hidden prompts. Reviewers, judges and committee members may not use AI at all in assessing applications.
Requires disclosure. Applicants may use AI and must say where they used it.
For applicants
- Applicants may use generative AI (GAI) when preparing a grant application, including annexes, if they do so responsibly. [1][2][3]
- Applicants should be transparent about the use of GAI when writing the application. If GAI is used as a source, it must be stated in the application's list of references. [1][2]
- Applicants are always ultimately responsible for the content. GAI models are not authors or co-authors. Applicants must review GAI output for accuracy, bias, integrity and completeness and add the appropriate citations. The full page version adds plagiarism, hallucinations, and integrity checks. [1][2]
- Applicants may not include hidden prompts in an application. This is not permitted under any circumstances. [1]
- NWO advises against entering confidential information, such as personal data and intellectual property, into a GAI application. Applicants must also respect the law, the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, the GDPR and their own institution's guidelines. [1][2]
- The guidelines cover the writing of applications only. For AI use in the research itself, NWO refers applicants to their institution's guidelines, the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and the European guidelines. [1][2]
- If NWO suspects unauthorised use of GAI, it will ask the individual for clarification. NWO does not use monitoring software to determine this. [1]
For reviewers
- The use of GAI is strictly prohibited in the assessment of applications. This includes use as a language aid or for translation. [1][2][3]
- The ban covers reviewers, referees, judges and members of evaluation committees. Applicants who also act as evaluators in the same round count as judges. [1][3]
- The ban rests on confidentiality duties and NWO's duty of verification. Entering information from an application, referee report or assessment report into a GAI application breaches confidentiality. [1][2][3]
Sources
NWO policy on the use of generative AI (opens in a new tab)
Applicants are welcome to use GAI when preparing a grant application
If GAI is used as a source, this must be stated in the application’s list of references
Applicants are always ultimately responsible for the content of the application.
Generative AI models are not authors or co-authors.
For this reason, NWO advises against entering confidential information into a GAI application.
The use of hidden prompts is not permitted under any circumstances.
The use of GAI is strictly prohibited in the assessment of applications.
This also applies to the use of GAI as a language aid or for translating assessments and/or application documents.
If there is a suspicion of unauthorised use of GAI
At present, monitoring software is not yet sufficiently reliable and is therefore not used to determine possible unauthorised use.
NWO policy on the use of generative AI (opens in a new tab)
Applicants are welcome to use GAI when preparing a grant application,6 provided they do so responsibly.
Applicants should be transparent about the use of GAI when writing the application.
The use of GAI is entirely prohibited in the evaluation of an application.
Entering information from an application, referee report or assessment report into a GAI application constitutes a breach of confidentiality.
NWO sets policy on the use of generative AI (opens in a new tab)
Applicants are allowed to use GAI, but its use is prohibited for reviewers and NWO employees involved in the application review process.
When reviewing an application, the use of GAI is completely prohibited.
See Dutch Research Council (NWO)'s programs
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.