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DSM-firmenich award now for best MSc graduate, best doctorate, and most promising start-up

Since 2020, the Krijn Rietveld Memorial Award has been annually presented by dsm-firmenich for the best master's or doctoral research at the Faculty of Science in the field of life sciences combined with data science. As of 2024, this award will be split into three prizes with a broader scope of research fields to better reflect the innovative research at our faculty and to reward more young talent.

Best MSc graduate and best doctoral research

Starting in 2024, the Krijn Rietveld Graduate Societal Impact Award will be presented annually to the best master's thesis at the Faculty of Science. The associated prize money is €2,500. The best doctoral dissertation (PhD) will be rewarded with the annual Krijn Rietveld Doctoral Societal Impact Award, which is accompanied by a cash prize of €3,000. Both awards are for research in the fields of life sciences, health science, biotechnology, or environmental science with a data science component.

Best entrepreneurial research

In 2025 and 2027, the best research at the Faculty of Science resulting in commercial application will be rewarded with the Krijn Rietveld Business Development Grant. This award includes a prize of €13,500 that can be spent on valorization of research results. Winners will also receive non-financial support from dsm-firmenich and Luris.

How do I become a candidate?

The call for nominations for de Krijn RIetveld Societal Impact Awards is open until 18 April. Do you want to be considered? First check whether you are eligible and then ask your supervisor or promotor if they want to support your nomination. If so, fill in the application form together and they can send the form to the Education or Scientific Director of your institute so you will be considered for nomination.

More information

June 4 – Career insights and Award Ceremony

To inspire current master and PhD students for a career in innovative research, the 2024 Krijn Rietveld Memorial Awards ceremony on 4 June will be preceded a Career Talk by dsm-firmenich Vice-President Wim Klop. During this session Wim will discuss his impressive career at one of Holland's largest international companies and will give insights in the career choices he made. After that he will announce the award winners of 2024.
More information about the event

Who was Krijn Rietveld?

Krijn Rietveld was a scientist and business leader who dedicated his life to biosciences. In 1985 Krijn received his PhD from Leiden University, after which he started his life-long career at Royal DSM. Always optimistic and with a great sense of humour, Krijn knew how to build bridges between business and the academic world. For Krijn, science and innovation were all about looking at the world we live in, studying the challenges we face and working together across disciplines to deliver innovative solutions that contribute to our planet and the people living on it. These behaviours and beliefs underpin the Krijn Rietveld Memorial Awards.

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