Dr. J.L. Dobberke Foundation for Comparative Psychology - Dobberke Grant (KNAW)

Dobberke Grant (KNAW)

You receive a grant of 2,000 EUR to 6,000 EUR for a single research project or activity on animal behaviour. The money can cover research costs, a study trip to visit a foreign research group, or the cost of organising a scientific meeting or sharing your findings. The board may award only part of what you request. The grant comes from the Dr. J.L. Dobberke Foundation for Comparative Psychology, managed by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), and is awarded once a year. It does not cover salaries, courses, dissertation costs, open-access fees, conference attendance, standard institute equipment, your regular work programme, or costs you have already spent.

Who can apply

• Career stage: You are a PhD candidate or a researcher who already holds a doctorate. Master's students and others without a completed degree cannot apply.
• Where you work: You work at, or are affiliated with, a university or research institute in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• Research topic: Your project focuses mainly on animal behaviour, including behavioural biology and psychology. Purely neurobiological or physiological work, or research mainly about humans, does not qualify.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply. What counts is your link to a Dutch institution.
• Timing: The funded activity must start between 1 December 2026 and 1 December 2027.

How to apply

You apply in English through the KNAW online portal. You attach the application form, a CV of up to 3 pages and a project description of up to 2 pages. The current round is open until 14 October 2026. The board judges applications on scientific quality, fit with its animal-behaviour aim, your budget and your CV. You hear the decision within two months of the deadline.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is cut narrowly: you must be a PhD candidate or doctorate holder at a Dutch institution working specifically on animal behaviour, so the eligible pool is small. If you clearly fit that profile and present a well-argued project with a clear budget, your prospects are solid. A sharp, focused proposal counts more than a broad one, and applying with a project that fits the funding period helps.