A quick chat with Isjah Koppejan (Regieorgaan SIA) about the upcoming Start-call

Next week, CIIIC, together with SIA, will launch the very first research-focused call within our program: the CIIIC Start funding scheme. We asked Isjah Koppejan, liaison on behalf of SIA, for a brief preview.

Isjah, could you please introduce yourself?

"I am Isjah, and I have a background in both the academic (both universities and colleges) and the cultural/creative sector. I am a liaison for the research part of the CIIIC program from the SIA Directorate, part of NWO. With a team from SIA and NWO, we will launch schemes in the coming years to promote collaboration, reflection, and knowledge in creating effective and responsible IX. 

I have a background in developing and managing societal impact in public-private partnerships and larger (inter)national research projects. What excites me is when research insights, creativity, and practice find each other and lead to stronger innovations. We all benefit from that."

What exactly is the Start call, and who is it intended for?

“The CIIIC Start funding scheme falls under action line 1 of CIIIC, which focuses on knowledge development and methods. It involves short-term and exploratory research: projects that help to better understand when and how immersive experiences can be used effectively and responsibly. The target audience is researchers from universities of applied sciences and other research institutions that bridge the gap between practice and research. The beauty is that the call is intentionally broad: from methods and effective elements to the entire user journey and possible unintended effects of IX.”

How does this call fit into the broader program, and what role does SIA play in it?

“The SIA Directorate is the lead for the research-focused calls within the broader CIIIC program. In the first phase of CIIIC – up to and including 2027 – we will launch no less than eight calls. CIIIC Start is the first, followed by CIIIC Core later this year. Both are short-cycle, so for projects with a duration of one year (Start) and two years (Core). Next year, CIIIC PRO is planned, aimed at four-year research projects, and a call around learning communities, where researchers from universities of applied sciences and partners in networks can work on learning questions around IX.”

To conclude: what are you most looking forward to?

"Following the previous calls launched by CIIIC in collaboration with organizations like the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Stimuleringsfonds (Incentive Fund), we're thrilled to now launch a research-focused call. After all, that's a truly essential part of the CIIIC program. I'm really looking forward to reading the applications soon—although that will obviously take a while."

Keep an eye on your inbox: you'll find more information about the Start call in the September 30th newsletter.