The LUCDH funds the development of Digital Humanities & AI research activities, knowledge, and skills through a Small Grants program.

LUCDH invites Leiden University members of staff, affiliates, or PhD students within the Humanities Faculty (or those co-working with a member of staff or student within the Humanities Faculty) to apply.

Application Deadline: 15 December 2026 (midnight). 

The Small Grant finances Research Development proposals with a digital component. Funds can be used for research assistance, including (short) student assistantships, equipment, software, infrastructural support, and events such as planning meetings, workshops, or consultations.

Proposals that include a digital infrastructure component are welcome, and includes funding for research software, lab equipment, or software development. If this applies to your research project, please contact us at lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl (especially if costly items are involved). Please note that due to budget cuts, the amount of funding available for travel and event driven proposals is limited.

Awards for Small Grant research projects will be granted on condition of a successful interview with an LUCDH staff member. 

• Who can apply?
• What can I apply for?
• How much can be applied for?
• What is the deadline for applications?
• How can I apply?
• Who will evaluate the proposals?
• Do you have examples of successful projects?
• Personal Development track is not available in 2026
• Other Grants?

Who can apply?

You can apply for a Small Grant if you are a Leiden University member of staff, an affiliate, or a PhD student within the Humanities Faculty or are co-working with a member of staff or student within the Humanities Faculty.

Note: Researchers who have successfully applied for a Small Grant recently may apply. However, highest priority will be given to projects from new applicants and for projects that chart new territory for the researcher and humanities research at Leiden. In practice, this means that those who have previously received a Small Grant are unlikely to receive a further Small Grant.

What can I apply for?

We welcome applications for Research Development projects

These funds are intended to help the applicant develop Digital Humanities research that is exploratory in nature, such as a grassroots project or a proof of concept. Successful applications have the potential to lead to larger individual or collaborative research projects and/or grant proposals. The proposal can be in any field of the humanities and can engage any aspect of the Digital, including research on digital media or the development of digital text or audiovisual sources and methods.

Funds can be used for research assistance, including (short) student assistantships, equipment or software, infrastructural support (for costly items, please contact us first at lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl), and events such as planning meetings, workshops, or consultations. Funds can be combined with other internal or external sources of funding.

Note: Any material(s) or software purchased from a grant will remain the property of Leiden University, and must be returned to Leiden University at the agreed completion date of a project. These items will remain available for loan to other Digital Humanities researchers.

How much can be applied for?

 The maximum amount that can be requested for Research Development grants is 3500 Euro.

In some cases, the funding committee may elect to award a portion of the requested budget to promising projects in instances where the committee judges a lower level of funding is feasible and suitable.

What is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for applications for the 2027 round of granting is 15 December 2026 (midnight).

Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt within 4 working days of emailing a completed application form, CV, and document detailing budget items. If you are requesting funds for lab equipment or software, give as precise specifications as possible under budget items. If you have not received confirmation, please check in with us at lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl. 

Applicants will be notified in January on whether their proposal has been successful or not in reaching the interview stage. At this interview, an LUCDH/IFZ staff member will assess if your project meets the Small Grant criteria. If successful, you will receive an official confirmation of the awarded amount.

How can I apply?

 You can apply for Research Development project grants by filling out the Research Development project proposal form: 

• PDF: Research Development appl. download location (pdf);
• Word doc: Research Development appl. download location (doc).
• Administrative check: Fill in this LUCDH Small Grants 2027 link. (Completing this form ensures we are aware of your intention to send in an application.)

And email

• your completed application form
• a current CV
• a Word or Excel document with a brief description and estimated amount for each item requested. If your project requires employing a student assistant, please check with your Faculty's Institute Manager for up-to-date information on costs and process.

to lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl by the current deadline using the subject line “Small Grants Proposal 2027”.

If you have not received confirmation within 4 work days that your application has been received, please check in with us at lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Who will evaluate the proposals?

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee of LUCDH and IFZ staff.

Do you have examples of successful projects?

Yes, you can find a list of previously funded Small Grants projects here.

If you still have doubts about whether and how your research development project idea is feasible and/or eligible for funding, do not hesitate to contact us at lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

What are the expectations for Research Development projects?

We will invite all successful applicants of Research Development grants for a meeting with a LUCDH staff member to discuss their projects, with an eye to identifying potential challenges and opportunities and providing advice where and if needed.

The LUCDH will also ask all successful 2027 applicants to provide:

• In Jan/Feb 2027: One paragraph and one image for the project page on the LUCDH website.
• In Jan 2028: A presentation of the project’s results or progress during the yearly "Digital Pilot Project" Symposium.
• Upon completion of the project, but no later than January 2028:
  • A one-page report, detailing the project’s results and an overview of challenges encountered and opportunities identified.
  • An overview of all project expenses.
  • An updated text and image for the project page on the LUCDH website.

Other Grants?

For COIn Infrastructure Research Grant
Requests for above 5,000 euro 
Check this link for any upcoming deadlines in March 2027. Information will be updated in November.

For Educational Grants
The primary purpose of the Small Grants is to support research developments, knowledge, and skills. If you are primarily interested in digital innovation in education instead consider applying for ecole@hum.leidenuniv.nl grants (form in Dutch). Contact ECOLe for further information on possible grant opportunities, grant application deadlines or if you have an idea for educational innovation.