To support early-career academics at the start of their research careers, the University of Twente Fund annually awards two Visser–Stokhuijzen Early Career Vouchers of €30,000 each. These vouchers are intended to give Assistant Professors an early boost in developing their research programme, particularly during the phase in which they are establishing their academic profile, research network, and independent research agenda.
Eligibility
The voucher is intended for:
- Assistant Professors at the University of Twente;
- Preferably in the first years of their appointment;
- Researchers with a promising research idea that would benefit from an early start-up impulse and that aligns with one or more of the University of Twente's four impact domains.
Candidates can only be nominated by their Faculty Dean and Vice Dean for Research. Direct applications are not possible.
Why this voucher?
With the Visser–Stokhuijzen Voucher, the University of Twente Fund invests in:
- Early-career academic talent;
- Scientific innovation;
- Future research funding opportunities.
In doing so, we help build a strong foundation for the next generation of University of Twente researchers.
What can the voucher be used for?
The voucher is intended as a targeted start-up grant for talented early-career researchers. It provides the flexibility to develop a promising idea, establish a new collaboration, or launch an innovative research line. The funding is designed to act as a catalyst for activities that can lead to scientific breakthroughs, societal impact, entrepreneurship, or the acquisition of follow-up research funding.
Examples include:
- Research and Proof of Concept
- Conducting pilot or feasibility studies.
- Generating preliminary data for larger grant applications (such as NWO, ERC, or Horizon Europe).
- Developing an initial prototype, demonstrator, or proof of concept.
- Purchasing specialised research equipment or software.
Research Support
- Hiring a student assistant, research assistant, or junior researcher.
- Engaging a programmer, data analyst, or laboratory technician.
- Outsourcing specific research activities, such as measurements, analyses, or surveys.
Scientific Impact
- Organising an international workshop or expert meeting.
- Inviting an international visiting researcher.
- Developing datasets or research infrastructure that can be shared with the wider research community.
Network Development
- Establishing new national or international collaborations.
- Conducting research visits to leading research groups.
- Participating in strategic conferences aimed at consortium building.
- Preparing European research consortia.
Societal Impact and Knowledge Transfer
- Collaborating with companies, public organisations, or governmental bodies.
- Developing demonstrations or pilot applications for potential end users.
Strengthening the Research–Education Connection
- Developing challenge-based education linked to the research project.
- Involving Master's students in new research lines.
- Developing living labs or real-world learning environments.
Selection Procedure
1. Faculty nominations
Each faculty may nominate one candidate annually through the Faculty Dean and the Vice Dean for Research.
2. Assessment by an independent committee
An independent selection committee reviews all nominations and selects two recipients.
3. Award of the vouchers
The selected candidates each receive a voucher worth €30,000.
Advisory Selection Committee
The advisory selection committee consists of:
- Prof. dr. ir. Tom Veldkamp (Chair) – Rector Magnificus
- Prof. dr. ir. Alfred Stein – Professor of Spatial Statistics and Image Analysis (ITC)
- Prof. dr. ir. Séverine le Gac – Professor of Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research (MESA+)
- Prof. dr. ing. Jutta Arens – Professor of Engineering Organ Support Technologies (ET)
- Prof. dr. ir. Bernard Veldkamp – Professor and Vice Dean for Research, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS)
Based on the committee's recommendation, the Board of the University of Twente Fund determines the final recipients.
Assessment Criteria
The committee evaluates nominations based on:
- Scientific quality and originality;
- Contribution to scientific and/or societal challenges within one or more of the four impact domains of the University of Twente research agenda;
- Potential to attract follow-up funding (multiplier effect);
- Feasibility of the proposed activities;
- The researcher's development potential.
This way we create a solid foundation for the next generation of UT researchers.
Awarding of the vouchers
The selected candidates will each receive a voucher of €30,000. These will be presented during the Dies lunch on 27 November 2026.
For more information? Please get in touch via Karen Wannyn.