An initiative by the government, universities and scientific organizations in The Netherlands will give 130 young scientists the ability to pursue research according to their own discretion. The Innovation Initiative will give each winner approximately NLG 300,000 ($126,000) per year for five years.

Applicants must present a short summary of their "weird" ideas, and a multidisciplinary committee will judge their potential based on references and personal interviews. Interested candidates should contact Ilie Trienekens of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science at +31 79 323 2860 or Liesbeth van de Garde of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research at +31 70 344 0784.