‘The LUF grant meant I could build new collaborations with other researchers in Chile.’ Astronomy master’s student Wout Goesaert travelled to Chile for his research on a ‘supermassive black hole’ in the Circinus galaxy.

Each with a heart for education and science, our employees are committed to the growth and prosperity of Leiden University. They form the link between scientists, students and donors and contribute with their knowledge and enthusiasm to groundbreaking research and innovative education. Several of them divide their time between the LUF and the university's Alumni Office.

Students who have an original plan for a project abroad are sometimes overlooked by the usual exchange programmes. Fortunately, there are alumni who believe that good plans should be encouraged, not hindered, and the Leiden University Fund (LUF) awards individual grants to students who are keen to go abroad to study, to complete an internship or research project or to attend a conference.

The Leiden University Fund (LUF) is the university's leading fund. With the support of alumni and other donors, scientists are working on groundbreaking research in the field of health, safety, sustainability and other social themes, and talented students and young researchers are given the opportunity to realise their ambitions.

The Leiden University Fund (LUF) offers various grant calls that support research and education at Leiden University. These include grants for scientific projects, study visits for PhD candidates, innovative initiatives, and international internships for students.

Infrastructure projects – such as ports, highways and railways – are intertwined with geopolitics, economic systems, political interests and cultural values that affect citizens. A team of researchers from several faculties and institutions was granted the LUF Impulse Grant for research on the prominent place of infrastructure in the thinking about development in Africa.

They were pleased enough to receive a grant from the LUF International Study Fund (LISF). That the same research internship would also win them a prize is beyond their wildest expectations. Phebe van Langevelde and Nynke Anna van der Mark won, respectively, the Janneke Fruin-Helb Grant for the best application and the LISF prize for the best report.

At the Dies Natalis Festival for Alumni, we will officially launch the LUF Children's Fund! For an entire year, we will dedicate ourselves to supporting research projects by Leiden scientists that contribute to a better future for vulnerable children.

Leiden University celebrates its birthday on 8 February. Traditionally, the LUF organises the Dies Natalis for alumni on the following Saturday. During this festive day, scientists from the university will inform you with great enthusiasm about current research results and developments in their field.

Shelley van der Veek has received a LUF Gratama grant for a research project that aims to help parents teach their toddlers healthy eating habits by promoting sensitive feeding in the phase when toddlers become fussy about food.