Strong society: This includes projects that contribute to a resilient, just and connected society. For example, projects focused on equal opportunities, citizenship and strengthening the rule of law (nationally and internationally). We also support initiatives related to media, culture and history. 

Green Future: Our commitment to a green future includes projects that contribute to the sustainable development of green technologies and materials, climate, ecology and biodiversity. We also support projects that encourage social behavioral change to better protect the planet and inspire people to live more sustainably. 

Healthy generations:
To foster healthier generations, we support initiatives that promote physical and mental health and well-being. We also fund projects related to social and digital developments, medical innovations and future-proof healthcare. 

The UvA Fund invites applications from talented early-career researchers who: 

• Are employed by the UvA (including Amsterdam UMC and ACTA) 

• Obtained their PhD on or after 1 September 2020 (extensions similar to NWO regulations apply) 

If you meet these requirements, you may submit an application. 

To be eligible for consideration, your project must: 

• Be a research or education project at the UvA
• Fall within at least one of the three themes (see Purpose of the Impact Call) 
• Have a maximum duration of two years and start in 2026 
• Not include the applicant’s salary costs in the budget (see Frequently Asked Questions) 
• Have a budget of € 25,000 (see Frequently Asked Questions) 

Only applications that are complete and submitted before the deadline are eligible.

Applications will be assessed on: 

• Potential for societal impact within one or more themes (40%) 

• Innovative and/or distinctive character (30%) 

• Quality and feasibility of the proposal (30%) 

A total of € 200,000 is available for Impact Call 2025, i.e., eight awards of € 25,000 each. Our intention is that in awarding projects, all 7 UvA faculties and all impact themes are well represented. 

Applications can be submitted via the BenefactorCloud portal from 5 September 2025. 
The deadline is 13 October 2025, 23:59 CET. 

Within each faculty, a pre-selection will take place in October–November 2025, with the three best applications being shortlisted. All shortlisted proposals will then be assessed in early December 2025 by the Academic Awards Committee (ABC), which includes representatives from each of the seven faculties and the UvA Fund board. 
Applicants will be notified of the outcome on 12 December 2025. Awarded projects will then be announced on the Fund’s website. 

Applications may be submitted in Dutch or English, apart from the summary which must be in Dutch. The Benefactor Could portal, for which applicants must register, must used for submissions and all communication about the application. 

Structure: 

• Title of the project
• Dutch-language summary of the research in layman’s terms (max. 200 words) 
• Link to the impact themes (max. 200 words)
• Description of the project (max. 1,200 words) 
• Explanation of relevant knowledge and experience (max. 200 words) 
• Start and end dates of the project 
• Additional information (optional; e.g., references, detailed planning, illustrations, graphs; max. 3 pages A4) 
• Budget (use the provided format) 

Required attachments: 

• CV 

• Proof of PhD date 

• If applicable: supporting documents for extension request 

• If applicable: line manager’s approval 

1. Who is eligible? 
Applicants must have a UvA employment contract (including Amsterdam UMC and ACTA) for the full duration of the project. The Award is not intended to increase contract hours or duration. Applicants must have obtained their PhD on or after 1 September 2020. The call is not open to PhD candidates (the defence of the thesis must be successfully completed). 

2. Extension scheme: 
Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 years, and may be combined. 

• Parental care: Biological mothers receive an 18-month extension per child; other parents receive six months per co-resident child. 

• Care or sick leave: Care leave for first-degree relatives or long-term illness counts in accordance with the formal reduction in working hours (documented via HR records or a statement from the line-manager). 

• Completed training: Time spent post-PhD on recognised, completed education may be counted proportionally (adjusted for part-time). 

3. Can the funding be used for (part of) my salary? 
No. Applicants must agree with their line manager to conduct the project within their current contract. The Award cannot be used to pay your own salary or extend your contract. It may, however, be used to cover costs of transferring your other duties to another staff member (with prior written approval from your line manager, to be attached to your application). 

4. What costs are eligible? 
Examples: materials, facilities, equipment, software purchase/development, training, hiring support staff (lab technicians, statisticians, technicians, student assistants, teaching assistants, etc.). You may also hire staff to take over your other duties during the project, provided your manager gives written approval. Standard overhead costs apply to hired staff. 

5. Can ongoing projects apply? 
Preference is for new projects but it is possible to submit a project linked to an existing one, provided it can function as a separate, self-contained project with its own start date (2026), end date (max. two years later), budget, and measurable outputs. Co-funding is allowed, but the use of the Impact Call Award must be clearly identifiable in the final financial report. 

6. Other questions?

Please email: subsidieaanvragen-auf@uva.nl stating Impact Call 2025.