Join the NWO Synergy Award

Calling all PhDs in the Social Sciences and the Humanities: are you ready to make an impact on society?

Scientific impact matters

Young researchers often are at the forefront of scientific innovation, but don’t always have the time, network or financial means to translate those innovative insights into societal impact. NWO offers a helping hand. Each year, NWO hands out the Synergy Award for the most enticing, daring or compelling societal impact idea in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. Are you a PhD-candidate, or have you recently attained your PhD degree? And do you think your research can positively impact society? Then sign up before November 16th!

“It took my scientific experience to a much higher level”

Daudi van Veen and Tessa van de Rozenberg (Leiden University) took part in the previous Synergy Award and won the finale. Tessa urges all PhD students to take part. “It boosted my motivation for my own PhD research and gave me an opportunity to fine-tune the impact of my research. The pitch training session, preparing my speech: it was intensive, exciting and, above all, a valuable experience.” Tessa and Daudi won the finale with their strategy for introducing more diversity into school textbooks (Ethnicity and Gender in Schoolbooks). “It’s great to be given an opportunity to do something practical with your research. Distinctly nerve-racking, but also really interesting to hear what other people think of it. It took my scientific experience to a much higher level,” says Daudi.

About the Award

With the Synergy Award, NWO offers PhD candidate a head start in employing their research ideas for a better society. Four candidates will be offered the opportunity to further enhance their communicative skills during an intensive workshop. The four candidates will then pitch their idea during the online edition of Synergy ’21, on February 4th 2021. Both a jury and the public will vote for the most enticing and impressive idea. The winner will receive a prize of €2.500 and will get the opportunity to present their progress during Synergy ‘22.

Questions? Contact us at SynergyConference@nwo.nl.

Wondering how to join? Sign up now via https://bit.ly/337jaM6!