The fourth edition of Utrecht Science Week starts today!
The Utrecht Science Week starts today. Until Sunday 6 October, the doors of the Utrecht Science Park will be wide open. Are you interested in (applied) science? Then be sure to join the event!
At 3:30 pm, the Utrecht Science Week will be officially opened by Jan Henk van der Velden (managing director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation), Anton Pijpers (chairman of the Executive Board of Utrecht University), Wilma Scholte op Reimer (chairman of the Executive Board of HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht) and Arno Hoes (vice-chairman of the Executive Board of UMC Utrecht), and there will be a preview of the wonderful, innovative week with a well-filled programme around the themes of health and sustainability.
This will be followed by the lecture by Peter Luijten, vice-dean of the Strategic Theme Life Sciences (Utrecht University). As part of his farewell, he will give a lecture ‘From science to impact: Utrecht Life Sciences’. Together with talented colleagues from the Life Sciences community, the unique achievements of Utrecht Life Sciences are highlighted and the valuable opportunities for societal impact in the future are previewed.
After the lecture, there will be time to chat and toast to the start of the Utrecht Science Week.
Utrecht Science Week
At the Utrecht Science Park, leading knowledge institutions, research institutes and companies work intensively together to find solutions to major societal issues. During the Utrecht Science Week, these collaborations and pioneering innovations are put in the spotlight. The week offers a varied programme including lectures, tours, dialogue sessions, panel discussions, knowledge markets and more. On topical themes such as preventive healthcare, climate change, animal-free innovation, socially responsible research and regenerative medicine. Subjects on which the Utrecht Science Park is working on a daily basis with combined efforts and with heart and soul.
Registration is still possible for many programme elements. Visit the website.
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
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.