An interdisciplinary research consortium, including Floris van der Tak (SRON/RUG) and Michiel Min (SRON) has been awarded an NWA grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to investigate the origin of life on Earth and in the universe. The so-called PRELIFE consortium (Pathways, Reactions and Environments) receives €6.7 million to explore this research question.
consortium
The consortium comprises scientists from sixteen universities and research institutes across the Netherlands, along with experts in science communication and education. The consortium is led by Inge Loes ten Kate (Utrecht University/ University of Amsterdam).
origins of life
The origin of life is one of science’s greatest unsolved puzzles. Various theories exist, but there is no consensus. PRELIFE adopts an interdisciplinary approach that brings together astronomy, biology, earth and planetary sciences, computer science, physics, educational science, chemistry, and mathematics to tackle the question: “How and under what conditions did life originate on Earth, and how common are these conditions in the universe?”
These questions resonate with society as well. Therefore, teachers, schoolchildren, and the public will be involved in the quest for answers through educational projects and collaborations with artists and museums.
A total of nine consortia have received funding for research within the program line “Research along Routes by Consortia” (ORC) of the National Science Agenda (NWA). Each consortium will work on a project centered around a theme from the NWA routes. In these projects, researchers collaborate with knowledge partners and societal organizations.