U.S.S.V. Softijs wins Gouden Voorzet and organised amusing karaoke crawl at the Utrecht Science Park
Last year, U.S.S.V. Softijs was the winner of the Gouden Voorzet, a subsidy paid annually to a student sports association by the Sportraad and Utrecht Science Park Foundation. The board used the grant to purchase a brand new music box, which they can put to good use during training sessions. To strengthen the Utrecht Science Park community and livability, a playful action is always linked to this as well. This time, this took the form of a Karaoke Crawl in the science cafés at the Utrecht Science Park.
At the HideOut and the Proeflokaal, the party was on Monday evening, 16 December. Softijs members gathered at the HideOut for the start of the karaoke. Then the journey continued to the Proeflokaal where everyone tried hard to sing the stars from the sky there as well. Even during a busy period with exams and deadlines, it is good to take a break. It was a successful evening with a lot of fun and where connection was made.
Gouden Voorzet
The Gouden Voorzet is a grant paid annually to a student sports association by the Sportraad and Utrecht Science Park Foundation. The associations submit a creative idea for the association with a positive contribution. The association with the most original idea receives the Gouden Voorzet.
Free Bicycle Light Repairs Mark Launch of National Cycling Visibility Campaign in Utrecht
The national bicycle lighting campaign ‘AAN in het donker’ (Lights On in the Dark) will be launched on 29 October on Leuvenlaan at Utrecht Science Park. Between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., cyclists can have their lights checked and repaired free of charge. André van Schie, Member of the Provincial Executive, will be there to talk to Utrecht residents about the importance of proper bicycle lighting.
Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht awarded with twelve NWO Vidi-grants
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded Vidi grants to 109 researchers. Twelve leading researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht will each receive a Vidi grant of up to €850,000. NWO awards Vidi grants annually, enabling recipients to develop an innovative line of research over the next five years and further expand their research teams.
Ureka Mega Challenge winner 2026: ReVoice restores one’s own voice after voice loss
People who lose their voice, for example after surgery for head and neck cancer, want to be able to speak again with a voice that sounds like their own. ReVoice aims to provide this, with the help of AI. With this innovation, head and neck surgeon Weibel Braunius, innovation manager Mart Schoondermark, and patient Boudewijn Faber won the Ureka Mega Challenge 2026 from UMC Utrecht.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.