Van Bergen Prize
The Van Bergen Fund provides financial support to study associations of Leiden University and University of Applied Sciences Leiden for initiatives that promote contact between Dutch and international students. A good plan will receive a subsidy from the Van Bergen Fund.
This incentive is intended to support initiatives that can in many ways bridge the gap between students and staff from different cultures within a cosmopolitan academic community.
Who can take part?
The Van Bergen Fund provides grants to study associations that submit an innovative, feasible plan aimed at continuity. The prize allows the winning plan or idea to be actually implemented. A proposed activity can start on a small scale but should be aimed at a potentially larger target group.
Several prizes
From 2022 onwards, several Van Bergen Prizes of up to 5000 euro will be awarded for plans that are creative and sustainable and that aim to bring international and Dutch students together, both in person and digitally.
Evaluating the plans
The administrative responsibility for spending the funds lies with the Studievereniging Overleg Platform (StOP), an umbrella organisation for all study associations of Leiden University and University of Applied Sciences Leiden. A jury consisting of students and staff members of Leiden University will judge the plans on their innovative character, scope and feasibility, among other things.
Study associations can submit plans throughout the year. The jury will assess these plans within one month.
Rules and procedure
Criteria
An entry for the Van Bergen Prize:
- Must be an initiative of a study association affiliated with Leiden University or University of Applied Sciences Leiden
- Can only be applied for once per activity
- Concerns an innovative activity for the Leiden and The Hague student community
- Stimulates contacts between Dutch and international students or promotes better relations between different cultures
- Encourages interaction
- Requests a minimum of 750 euro and a maximum of 5000 euro
N.B. The fund only finances the setting up of the initiative. This is done on a voluntary basis, so working hours are not reimbursed. Subsidy for food and drink is possible if it is functional and fits within the activity. A maximum of 20 percent of the total amount may be spent on food and drink.
Guidelines
Include the following categories in the plan:
- Introduction of the plan and a description of the ideas and goals behind it
- Description of the implementation of the plan, including a timeline
- Cost estimate, including any other sources of funding
Use the online form to submit the grant application. Please answer the questions in English.
Application formPrize winners
Leiden City Safari
Leiden City Safari is organised by the LUMC International Student Committee (LisCo). Leiden City Safari is a city tour that aims to introduce international students to the city of Leiden as well as to fellow Dutch students.
OpenUP!
With the OpenUP! symposium, study advisers and coordinators from Leiden University Campus The Hague aim to not only break the silence, but to encourage students to support each other and empower them to take ownership of their feelings and mental state.
Evaluating the plans
The jury is made up of students and staff of Leiden University. The members of the jury evaluate the plans on such aspects as how innovative they are, their scope and their feasibility. The winners present their plans at the annual Diversity symposium organised by the University.
A fast-track procedure applies to plans of study associations and faculties/institutes. Proposals from this target group can be submitted throughout the year.
Archery Attack door L.A.S. Terra
This idea by study association L.A.S. Terra promises both fun for participants and interaction between them. According to L.A.S. Terra physical exercise is often overlooked as a way to bring international and Dutch students together. Through the game Archery Attack, students of all nationalities will participate in a unique competition with bow and arrow.
Sustainable Business Battle
Multiple teams consisting of Dutch and international students work together on business cases of Dutch businesses to find innovative, durable and achievable solutions. After each team giving a short pitch, the jury selects the best plan.
International Ball
The main objective of the International Ball is to bring Dutch and international students closer together. Nine dancing lessons will be organised, once a week. At least four dances will be learned: English Waltz; Valdresspringar (Scandinavian); Salsa (South & North-American); Quickstep (Western), and an opening dance. The final event will be the International Ball where these dances will be performed. After the performance other Leiden university students can join in for social dancing or the afterparty.
Leiden Student Integration Project
The purpose of this plan is to improve relations and increase interactions between Dutch and international students at Leiden University by creating a fun environment that entices participation through diverse cultural expressions such as cuisine, film, art, music, and sports. In addition, with the inclusion of charitable good works this plan aims to instil a sense of community not only within Leiden University but also across the Netherlands. The ultimate goal is for our culturally diverse students to find value in interacting with one another and not to come across as a forced, awkward social attempt.
Leiden International Arts & Theatre Foundation
The Leiden International Arts & Theatre Foundation (LIAT) encourages Leiden University students to exchange and express their artistic talents. Dutch and international students work together to create and perform in theatre productions. LIAT also organises theatre improvisation workshops. Also featured on their agenda is the Arts International Symposium and the Arts Feedback Dinner.
Buddy talk
Buddy talk is aimed at language development. Students can indicate which languages they speak fluently and which they would like to learn, then Buddy Scan matches students who would like to learn each other’s languages. The end result is a fun form of cultural and language exchange. This is further stimulated by the organisation of networking events.
Creative Writing Class
This initiative brings Dutch and international students together through the medium of story writing. All Leiden University students are welcome, irrespective of their field of study. Stories are discussed in a group setting and authors have the opportunity to explain their vision and meaning. This results in meaningful discussion in which students get to know each other cultures and traditions in a fun and informal way.
The Dutch Language and Culture Committee
The goal of the Dutch Language and Culture Committee (DLCC) is to offer students and staff of Leiden University College (LUC) the opportunity to lean Dutch and get to know Dutch culture, in an open and stimulating environment. The committee organises weekly Dutch lessons and cultural events, as well as excursions to Dutch attractions.
Contrast Leiden: Be Present
Contrast Leiden organised ‘Be Present’, in which Dutch and international students worked together to help residents of Leiden. Projects ranged from painting a house to board games with senior citizens, and every project was brought to a fun-filled conclusion with social activities for students.
Leiden United Programme
This programme stimulates contact between Dutch and foreign students and promotes better relations between different cultures. The program consists of dinner meetings in groups of 10 to 14 students at the five major student associations in Leiden and at The Hague campus of Leiden University. Leiden United also organises group activities for all members to participate in together. Dutch students and international students from the same study area have dinner together with their group twice a month. Also, they can meet up over coffee, plan activities together and participate in other activities organised by Leiden United.
Njord: International Membership
Rowing association Njord initiated the International Membership, which enables international students to join the rowing association. International students are assigned for a boat for eight with a Dutch coach. Social activities are organized for Dutch and international students to get to know each other better. In addition, Njord organizes training nights for Dutch and internationals, so they can mingle.
Van Bergen Cup
The Van Bergen Cup is a sport event, in which all Dutch and international students can participate. It consists of leagues of four different sports: soccer, hockey, beach volleyball and dodgeball. Afterwards, a barbecue is organided, which is followed by a party at the sports bar.
About the Van Bergen Fund
The Van Bergen Fund was established in 2005, on the retirement of Joris van Bergen, Vice-President of the Executive Board.
The Foundation regards this as an important preparation for students who will be living and working together in an increasingly globalising world. Connecting Dutch and international students perfectly reflects the University’s policy to internationalise the academic community.
Board
-
Joris van Bergen (chair)
- Prof. Hester Bijl (board member)
- Prof. Ton van Haaften (board member)
- Jeroen 't Hart (treasurer/secretary)
Address
Leiden University
PO Box 9500
2300 RA Leiden
Contact
Qing-yi Fan
vanbergenfund@sea.leidenuniv.nl
+31 (0)71 527 802
Studievereniging Overleg Platform Leiden
info@stopleiden.nl
+31 (0)71 527 8942

The Van Bergen Fund is part of the Leiden University Fund, which means that it has the status of a public welfare institution (ANBI). The Van Bergen Fund's RSIN-number is 8172.89.501. If you would like to support the Van Bergen Fund by making a financial donation, you can do this via the Leiden University Fund, with a reference to "Van Bergen Fund". More information is available on the website of the LUF about the different ways of making a donation. The financial overview of the Van Bergen Fund is included in the financial annual overview of the Leiden University Fund.