22 Vidi Grants Awarded to Utrecht Researchers

On October 23, 2025, 22 researchers from Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, and the Princess Máxima Center each received a Vidi grant of up to €850,000. The NWO grants enable researchers to develop innovative research lines and expand their research groups over the next five years. This year, a total of 149 scientists were awarded Vidi funding.

Utrecht University

Eighteen grants were awarded to UU researchers across the Faculties of Science, Humanities, Geosciences, REBO (Law, Economics, Governance, and Organization), and Social Sciences. Projects range from climate-resilient crops and catalysis through vibrations, to mathematical proof assistants, evolution of complex genomes, sustainable plastics, and bio-inspired materials.

Faculty of Humanities

Projects focus on the impact of social media on climate communication, queer intellectuals and their archives, media regulation, collaboration during the Renaissance, and meaning-making practices in mental health care.

Faculty of Geosciences

Researchers are studying the links between terrestrial and marine environments to understand climate processes and are developing consistent global soil maps to support future climate policy.

Faculty of Law, Economics, Governance, and Organization

Projects examine structural discrimination in Dutch legislation and explore how responsibilities for data protection can be better assigned.

Faculty of Social Sciences

Research investigates responsible use of learning analytics in higher education and its impact on teacher-student dynamics.

UMC Utrecht

Researchers are developing MRI techniques to map local brain connections and measure tissue conductivity for improved cancer monitoring and treatment.

Princess Máxima Center

Projects focus on restoring the health of fatty livers and improving the bone marrow environment in children to increase the success of stem cell transplants and enhance quality of life.