An excellent thesis, the most impressive report or the best research question. LUF stimulates ambitious students and researchers to get the best out of themselves. Here is a selection of the prizes we make available each year in recognition of exceptional talent.

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.

The Leiden University Fund (LUF) has announced a new annual Snouck Hurgronje grant and prize. The grant is for an interfaculty research or teaching project and the prize is for innovative initiatives from the student community.

‘What is the best electoral system for a democracy? First prize in the Leiden University Thesis Prizes 2021 goes to someone who has added their own deftly argued vision to this socially relevant topic.’ These were the words of Annetje Ottow, president of the Executive Board and board member of the Leiden University Fund, at the online University Thesis Prizes ceremony on 3 March. The lucky winner, Suzanne Bloks, studied philosophy.

The Leiden University Thesis Prizes were awarded on Alumni Day on 15 February. The nominees came with their family and friends to the Kamerlingh Onnes Building for the award ceremony for these annual prizes for the best theses.

‘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.

The Leiden University Thesis Prize was awarded on Alumni Day on 16 February. On this sunny Saturday, the seven nominees, one from each faculty, came with their family and friends to the Kamerlingh Onnes Building for the award ceremony of this annual prize for the best thesis.

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.