NL: 1.5 million euro grant for better understanding of flowering

Richard Immink, plant scientist at Wageningen University & Research, has received a grant of one and a half million euros from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), for his research into the way in which plants pick up signals from nature to start processes such as flowering. This knowledge will increase food safety across the globe, just as the climate is changing.

The personal Vici grant is specially assigned to advanced researchers who are able to use this funding to develop their own innovative line of research and create a research group. The grant funds research for the next five years.

When is the right time to flower?
Prof. Richard Immink wants to discover how plants integrate temperature in their reproduction strategy. Plants are able to adjust to environmental factors and measure these signals to determine when the right moment for flowering has arrived. Immink's team will explore the ways in which plants use temperature to direct and optimise reproduction. This research will contribute to increasing food security in a changing climate.

NWO Vici grants
NWO awarded Vici grants of 1.5 million euros each, to 35 researchers in the Netherlands. 233 scientists submitted a request for their own research project.

Vici funding is intended for highly experienced researchers who have successfully demonstrated the development of their own innovative line of research and who are able to coach young researchers. Together with the Veni and Vidi grants, the Vici grant forms the financing of the NWO Vernieuwingsimpuls (Innovation Impetus) programme.

Source: Wageningen University & Research