TDCC-NES Current Work Programme (2026 - 2027)
“Stimulating connection to coordinate strategic action that benefits the whole domain”
The TDCC-NES work programme identifies the prioritised challenge topics, that will form a focus for events, activities, and project development during the current year. Each year, project funding becomes available via the NWO TDCC project call, and which can be directed to support project activities connected with the TDCC-NES work programme.
In parallel, the TDCC-NES will organise complementary events to develop fast-tracked projects (whether connected to the current work programme or otherwise prioritised by the Governing Board) and to explore shared challenges with stakeholders that will shape the next work programme.
We welcome you to contact the TDCC-NES office if you would like us to help you organise an exploration meeting, or suggest a new challenge topic to be explored.
The TDCC-NES four prioritised challenge topics for 2026
Although discussion around these four challenge topics will form the basis of TDCC-NES activities in coming months, you are also welcome to propose projects that do not fit with these four challenge topics. The TDCC-NES staff team will work with you and with the Governing Board to explore whether your idea merits inclusion in next year's work programme, or whether it would solve a more immediate problem for the NES domain and should be fast-tracked for funding in the current year.
Open (online) exploration meetings for each of the four topics will kick-start the process and will be an opportunity to present your ideas, bring forward suggestions relating to these topics, and to shape the work plan by which each challenge might be addressed.
All areas will be explored with international co-operation and alignment in mind, and with an eye on digital and data sovereignty.
The challenge: researchers and research support experts are overwhelmed by legal and technical complexities. Often, answers and support can be found within their own institution, but sometimes, people don’t know how to find that person, or the answer might need to be explored through collaboration or connection with a national expert. By identifying and linking domain expertise across the Netherlands, we can invite questions and direct them to the ‘right’ person, develop a shared knowledge base for the domain, and potentially facilitate discussion to explore challenges that remain unsolved.
Online exploration meeting: 26 May, 10:00-12:00
The challenge: NES domain Data Stewards, or those working in data stewardship roles, often feel isolated, and lack formal recognition, relevant training, and career paths. By more clearly identifying those who perform these roles, describing the impact that domain data stewards can have, and discussing training and development needs, we can contribute to the development of a strong professional network of data stewards.
Online exploration meeting: 29 May, 10:00-12:00
The challenge: FAIR data is more easily achieved if it is built into the workflow and processes of data creation and collection. Bringing about data that is “FAIR by design” might involve adapting electronic research/lab notebooks or instruments, connecting researchers within or between disciplines to agree standards and processes, disseminating good practice across large scale infrastructures, or it might involve the use of AI. The FAIR4ChemNL and FAIR4Instruments meetings are examples of how an activity in this area might be kick-started, but you might have other suggestions.
Online exploration meeting: 5 June, 10:00-12:00
The challenge: fragmentation across the domain creates barriers to solving "complex questions". Bringing about connections between researchers from different fields and supporting them to work towards improved data interoperability will improve knowledge discovery and increase the impact of investment in research. If this is a challenge that's relevant to you, then you might also consider working with the TDDC-NES Ontology Engineers.
Online exploration meeting: 2 June, 10:00-12:00
In order to transition to this new approach for project development, the Governing Board, will guide the activities during 2026 - 2027. Stakeholders in the natural and engineering sciences domain are encouraged to contact the TDCC-NES office if they would like help exploring a digital competency-related challenge, or would like to propose new challenge topics for future exploration.
Because this is a new approach since the previous NWO TDCC project call, anyone who has been thinking about submitting a project proposal to TDCC-NES this year is still welcome to do so using the form below. The TDCC-NES office will first explore with the submitter whether there are alignments with other project ideas, and whether it is something that will fit with the current or next work programme, and decide whether there is reason to propose it to the Governing Board for fast-tracking for funding in the current year.