The Academy requires that, in certain cases, researchers who wish to receive a financial contribution from a fund, or to be a candidate for a scientific prize, must have gained their PhD no more than a certain number of years previously. A similar condition applies to candidates for membership of The Young Academy. An extension of the set period may be granted on account of pregnancy, parenthood, care duties, care leave, illness, and/or training as a clinical specialist.
a. An extension is only possible if the following situations to which an extension applies commence in or after the year in which the defence of the PhD dissertation took place.
b. In all cases, the maximum extension period is a total of five years.
c. In all cases, the extension will be calculated on the basis of the entire calendar year in which the application or nomination is submitted, i.e. not from a specific date.
d. If one of the following cases applies, the completed Academy Extension Arrangement Form must be enclosed with the application or nomination.
Researchers can be granted an extension if they have become the parent of a child.
An extension is possible as compensation for the time involved in the pregnancy, the delivery, and caring for the child; it includes any parental leave taken and/or a reduction in the number of formal working hours.
Maximum extension: 18 months for each child
An extension is possible as compensation for the time involved in caring for a child; it includes any parental leave taken and/or a reduction in the number of formal working hours.
Maximum extension: 6 months for each child
Researchers can be granted an extension if they have taken care leave in order to care for partners or first-degree relatives by consanguinity or marriage (other than own children).
Maximum extension: the formal period during which the researcher was not working (in the case of part-time care leave, the extension will apply in proportion).
Researchers can be granted an extension in the event of long-term illness.
Maximum extension: the formal period during which the researcher was not working (in the case of part-time absence due to illness, the extension will apply in proportion).
Researchers can be granted an extension if they have undertaken training to become a clinical specialist.
Maximum extension: the period spent on training as a clinical specialist after gaining one’s doctorate (in the case of part-time training, the extension will apply in proportion).
Thus adopted by the Board of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) on 18 June 2024. This Extension Arrangement takes effect as of 1 July 2024, with the Extension Arrangement adopted on 26 March 2019 then ceasing to apply.
Nominators for a prize are requested to contact the KNAW Wetenschapsfondsen department first, via wetenschapsfondsen@knaw.nl, if they intend to nominate a candidate who may qualify for this extension arrangement.