Besides the professors by special appointment funded by LUF, a number of other special chairs are financed by named funds. One of these is the UNICEF Fund Chair in Children’s Rights.

The winner of the Leiden University Thesis Prize has made an original and substantial contribution to argumentation theory. This is what Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board and member of the LUF board, said at the online ceremony for the University’s thesis prizes. The winner of the first prize is Charlotte van der Voort. She received her Master’s degree in Dutch Discourse Studies with the summa cum laude distinction.

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.

In addition to grants for overseas trips and student activities, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) also offers students other avenues of support.

De Leidse wetenschappers Gisela Hirschmann (Politieke Wetenschap) en Niels van Doesum (Psychologie) hebben een LUF/Gratama-beurs in de wacht gesleept voor hun onderzoek naar de effecten van muzikale vredesinitiatieven. Wanneer je ‘vijanden’ samen laat musiceren, verandert dan het beeld dat zij van elkaar hebben? En breng je zo de vrede een stapje dichterbij?

The effects of encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, are varied but have a huge impact. With the aid of the LUF, Dr Jutte de Vries, a medical microbiologist at the LUMC, is working on a solution.

Once a year the LUF Committee for Academic Expenditure (CWB) awards grants to scientific projects of Leiden University researchers. The grants vary from €5,000 to €25,000.

Sustainability has undeniably acquired greater importance in our society. LUF also has a role to play in this context, and, in addition to our grants, we can impact sustainability themes through our investments. In recent years, we have improved our sustainability policy and focused our portfolio on SFDR Article 8*.

Disruptions to the gut flora can affect our mental health. How could this connection be used to prevent stress-related disorders? This is what psychologist Laura Steenbergen will investigate with the aid of a project grant from the LUF and, on the basis of a partnership between the two funds, the Gratama Foundation.

Leiden University researchers Gisela Hirschmann (Political Science) and Niels van Doesum (Psychology) have been awarded a LUF/Gratama grant for their research on the effects of musical peacebuilding initiatives. When ‘enemies’ make music together, does that change the image they have of one another? And does this contribute to fostering peace in conflict areas?