Networks and associations
Leiden University is actively involved in various university networks worldwide.
By being a member of these networks, our voice is heard across the border. Networks are either involved in advocacy, collaboration activities or knowledge sharing practices, or all of these. The value of a good network for a university cannot be understated. This is why we are especially proud to be members of and ambassadors for the networks below:
Una Europa
Leiden University is one of the 11 members of Una Europa, a European University Alliance. Una Europa aims to build the University of the Future: an environment where we combine our collective strengths for the benefit of inter-university education and research. Participation in Una Europa and building towards this shared goal is a cornerstone of our international activity.
More about Una Europa
The Una Europa alliance is an inherently international network, offers ing a range of activities and opportunities with the Una Europa partners. The collaboration in Una Europa is the base for close bilateral relations and for diverse consortia that engage in large education and research projects. Una Europa is truly unique, offering a network perspective for collaboration with universities in Africa and Latin America, and joint approaches to topics such as sustainability and diversity and inclusion. Joint education is under development with some partners, while joint research projects are being drafted with others.
Una Europa
LDE Global
Leiden University works together structurally with Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam. Within this network, called LDE, there is a special focus on joint international activities. To make a real difference, we closely collaborate with partners in Africa, South- and Southeast-Asia and Latin-America on topics such as Health, Water, Energy, Housing, Climate, Migration, Heritage and more.
More about LDE Global
Initiatives under the LDE- umbrella are a priority in the university's international strategy and vision. We are always looking for synergies with LDE when exploring the upscaling of, or new, activities in the region. One example is the International Centre for Frugal Innovation in Nairobi, Kenya, which is an LDE Hub connect to the Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research. Other activities include INUcost in Indonesia and projects around migration in Latin America. A yearly seed fund encourages researchers at the three institutions to work together with priority partners in the majority world and to aim for local as wel as global impact.
Read more on the LDE website: LDE Global | Leiden•Delft•Erasmus
League of European Research Universities (LERU)
LERU’s primary aim is to demonstrate to national and European public authorities the importance of basic scientific research and the role that research universities can play in it. The alliance does this by setting out its vision of research and science policy in policy papers and statements, and by organising various events and meetings.
More about LERU
In addition, LERU focuses on the exchange of expertise between its members and fostering cooperation and interaction between its students and scientists. LERU is strongly committed to the development of Open Science, both at the level of research institutions and at the level of EU policymaking.
For Leiden University, LERU is one of the most important partnerships within Europe. However, the scope of this alliance extends beyond Europe. For example, LERU is seeking to collaborate with like-minded university networks in the USA, China, Japan, Canada and other countries. Within the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, LERU has special consultative status.
Coimbra Group
Founded in 1987, the Coimbra Group is a network of centuries-old, European multidisciplinary universities with an international reputation. Coimbra aims to forge academic and cultural relationships between its members in order to promote internationalisation, academic cooperation, excellence in education and research, and the transfer of knowledge to society. The Coimbra Group also aims to influence European education policy and facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices between its members.
Besides these 4 key networks, Leiden University is also member of the following networks and alliances:
The Europaeum
The Europaeum was established in the early 1990s to bring together young researchers and leaders to discuss developments in Europe and to promote pan-European thinking. The Europaeum encourages cooperation in research and education between leading European universities and supports scientists and students in the organisation of conferences, colloquia and summer schools where political, cultural and business leaders participate in an interdisciplinary dialogue with the world of science.
European University Association
The European University Association (EUA) represents and supports higher education institutions in 47 countries by providing a forum for cooperation and expertise development. The EUA plays an important role in shaping the European higher education and research landscape of the future. Its central role in the Bologna process and European policy discussions, as well as its relations with international and European organisations, makes the EUA suitable for bringing to the European fore precisely those issues that are crucial for European universities.
International Association of Universities
The International Association of Universities (IAU), founded in 1950, is the UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions. It brings together institutions and organisations from some 120 countries for reflection and action on common concerns and collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies active in higher education.
EuroScholars
EuroScholars is a unique research abroad program designed for advanced and talented undergraduate students from US and Canadian institutions looking for an international research experience.