Research highlights, policy briefs, fellowships, and announcements from DIGS.
Recent announcements from DIGS. Use Read more to jump to a short summary further down the page.
DIGS launches European Global Sustainability Observatory
Researchers from our Global Climate Policy cluster partner with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Climate Policy to develop the Netherlands' European sustainable development finance market design and flexibility roadmap.
DIGS invites applications for its annual Research Fellowship programme. Fellows spend 12 months embedded in research clusters working on real policy problems with government partners.
NWO grant funds Global South solar development study
A new Dutch Research and Innovation grant will support a three-year study on investment, jobs, and just transition finance for solar deployment in partner countries across the Global South.
New Global Sustainability Data & Finance centre announced
DIGS partners with Dutch development banks and EU universities to launch a centre on sustainable development finance data, market transparency, and cross-border investment.
Policy brief: the Netherlands' path to net zero by 2050
A new DIGS policy brief examines the governance mechanisms and investment frameworks required to keep the Netherlands on track for its international climate commitments.
Additional datasets and policy document archives in AI regulation and data governance are now available to all enrolled researchers and programme participants.
Doctoral training workshop on research integrity and open data
The Graduate School hosts a mandatory skills session for new researchers on ethics, reproducibility, and open data policy under Dutch research standards.
Alumni and fellow mentoring programme opens for 2026
Graduates and former fellows volunteer to support current researchers and programme participants exploring careers in policy, public service, and international development.
The Observatory brings together DIGS researchers and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Climate Policy to track sustainable development finance prices, flexibility, and cross-border market design for the Netherlands and the EU. Sessions are open to policy stakeholders, doctoral researchers, and invited guests from government and industry. Enquiries may be directed through the research contact route, marked for the Global Climate Policy cluster.
Research Fellowship programme 2026
The Fellowship is open to early and mid-career researchers from Dutch and international institutions. Fellows are embedded in one of DIGS's research clusters for a period of 12 months, producing at least one policy-relevant output in partnership with a government agency or NGO. Applications close 30 May 2026. See the study hub for the application checklist and assessment criteria.
Global South solar development study
The NWO-funded project models investment, employment, and just transition finance for solar deployment in partner countries across the Global South, working with Dutch ministries, development banks, and European university partners. Findings will be published as working papers and policy briefs over the three-year grant period.
Global Sustainability Data & Finance centre
The centre will host joint fellowships, data partnerships, and an annual conference on sustainable development finance and green capital markets. Partner institutions include Dutch development banks and universities in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Brussels. The centre's first call for research proposals will open in July 2026.
Net zero policy brief
The brief examines three scenarios for accelerating the Netherlands' transition — a strengthened green finance framework, a direct public investment framework, and a hybrid approach — and assesses each against cost, distributional equity, and political feasibility criteria. The brief is available to download from the research cluster page.
Digital governance research collection
The collection includes EU and Dutch regulatory documents, market-design papers, and comparative datasets on climate governance, green finance, and sustainability analytics. Research librarians offer drop-in sessions on search strategy and data management. Remote access uses standard DIGS login credentials.
Doctoral integrity and open data workshop
Topics include authorship standards, data management plans under NWO rules, and escalation when concerns arise. Completion is recorded on training transcripts. The session runs twice annually for new doctoral and research programme entrants.
Mentoring programme 2026
Pairs are matched by career interest and research theme where possible. The scheme runs alongside formal careers appointments and does not replace professional advice on visas, public service selection, or academic job markets. Expressions of interest from mentors and mentees are open until 28 February 2026.
