The alliance offers staff members the opportunity to explore new interdisciplinary connections between the partner institutions. A Seed Fund has been set up for small-scale initiatives such as preparing for an external grant application, developing a new course, organising an event or setting up collaboration with social partners.

Three rounds

Each year there will be three opportunities to apply for seed money. Deadlines are 1 March, 1 July and 1 November. In each round funds are available to award three applications.

Call March 2021

More information on the March 2021 call: guidelines and application form

Requirements

Applications must meet a number of requirements:

• At least 3 of the 4 partners within the alliance are involved in the application
• The application may involve any scientific discipline within the alliance and should focus on (one of) the alliance’s themes: health, food, energy and circular society
• The application has clear deliverables such as a grant application, the organisation of an event or an educational activity. The resources cannot be used for matching in a grant application
• The application amounts to a minimum of 10 k€ and a maximum of 50 k€
• The maximum duration of the project is 1 year

Selection procedure

Applications will be assessed by the Seed Fund Committee and will be ranked on quality and awarded in order.