{"id":4907,"date":"2026-04-01T13:30:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukb.nl\/?post_type=nieuws&p=4907"},"modified":"2026-04-02T11:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T11:40:07","slug":"starting-in-2026-nwo-and-ukb-will-jointly-present-the-leo-waaijers-open-science-award","status":"publish","type":"nieuws","link":"https:\/\/ukb.nl\/en\/news\/starting-in-2026-nwo-and-ukb-will-jointly-present-the-leo-waaijers-open-science-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting in 2026, NWO and UKB will jointly present the Leo Waaijers Open Science Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting from 2026, UKB and NWO will jointly present the annual Leo Waaijers Open Science Award. This award was established by UKB in 2024 to recognize individuals or teams who have made an exceptional contribution to open science. \u201cWe are very pleased that, starting now, we can help others in the field to remain committed to open science together.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognising and valuing open science<\/strong><\/h1>\n

UKB, NWO, and Open Science NL recognize and value initiatives that make an important, inspiring, and sustainable contribution to the open science movement with the Leo Waaijers Open Science Award. These are pioneers who have worked against the tide and have truly set change in motion.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the collaboration between UKB and NWO, the winner will also receive \u20ac50,000 in prize money. This fund can be used to further reinforce existing initiatives, expand them, or launch new ones. As in previous years, the award will be presented during the annual Open Science Festiva<\/a>l.<\/p>\n

Joining Forces<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Matthijs van Otegem, chair of UKB, on the collaboration: \u201cWith the Leo Waaijers Open Science Award, we want to inspire others in the field to contribute, just like Leo Waaijers, to a fairer and more accessible scientific system. He demonstrated that change is possible if you dare to think and act. We are delighted that NWO and Open Science NL are joining us in this effort. Thanks to the prize money that has now been made available, we can give the winner an extra boost to continue their commitment to open science.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hans de Jonge, director of Open Science NL (part of NWO), agrees: \u201cWe are very pleased to collaborate with UKB on the Leo Waaijers Open Science Award. After all, open science is all about collaboration. By joining forces, we can not only recognise and appreciate pioneers in the field, but also truly help them move forward. That is exactly what Open Science NL stands for.\u201d<\/p>\n

The call for nominations will open soon. As in previous years, you can nominate yourself and\/or others for the award. Keep an eye on the Open Science NL and UKB websites to find out when the call opens.<\/p>\n

In the footsteps of Leo Waaijers<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Leo Waaijers (1938\u20132023) was a tireless advocate for Open Access and for restoring the balance of power between public and private actors in the scientific domain. For 35 years, Leo was highly active in the world of scientific information, issuing many innovative ideas, proposals, and action plans.<\/p>\n

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