We aim to support you in your DoY-Early Childhood related endeavors, including but not limited to: an expansion of your current research, a new collaboration, an event, a public engagement activity, using (FAIR) data or FAIRifying data. You can apply for grants between €500 and €20.000 in the following categories:

Besides funding, you will also receive support and counsel from the Early Childhood community. For example, we can provide you with RDM support, channels for outreach to societal partners and with opportunities to present your project during one of our events.

Before applying

Please take note of the following eligibility criteria.

1. You should be affiliated with Utrecht University or UMC-Utrecht as a student (bachelor, master, PhD) or member of staff.
2. Your project should fit within the aims of the Early Childhood community.
3. Each participant can only be the main applicant of one application and an co-applicant in a maximum of two applications.
4. You have written permission from your PI or supervisor to apply for funding and execute your project at the Utrecht University or UMC Utrecht.

Applicants can enhance the probability of securing funding by taking the following factors into account when preparing for an application :

1. Position: The likelihood of obtaining funding can be augmented if you are an emerging researcher seeking to explore novel avenues within your project. This is particularly relevant in cases where time and financial constraints impede the pursuit of such innovative endeavors.
2. Objectives: Articulating a well-defined objective that substantiates the potential to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and support the network of the Early Childhood community can significantly increase the prospects of obtaining funding. Demonstrating the project’s capacity to contribute to the broader field and facilitate cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange is vital in this regard.

Specific examples of projects that may be eligible for funding:

Symposia

Financial support can be requested to support and enhance the interdisciplinary aspects of a symposium, with special emphasis on supporting early career researchers. For example:

1. A travel grant for an early career researcher that will give a lecture during your symposium.
2. A travel grant or financial support so a researcher from another field can give a lecture during your symposium.
3. Financial support to promote your symposium among researchers from other fields.
4. Financial support to (partially) pay the registrations costs of researchers from other fields for your symposium.

Expansion of research projects

Financial support can be requested to support and enhance the interdisciplinary aspects of ongoing research projects, with special emphasis on supporting the FAIRification of (existing) data and use of existing (FAIR) datasets. For example:

1. Financial support to FAIRify an existing dataset that you are currently using or acquiring.
2. Financial support to gain access to an existing dataset in order to reuse this data (e.g. to use YOUth cohort data).
3. Financial support to strengthen the connections between two departments of the university (preferably from two different faculties).
4. Financial support to set up a research project with a societal partner.

After submission

Your application will be processed based on the type of funding you have  requested. If you fall in the ‘Small’ or ‘Medium’ funds category, applications  will be evaluated and honored continuously. You do not have to adhere to a deadline. If you fall in the ‘Large’ or ‘XLarge’ types of grants , applications must be submitted by 24 October 2025 23:59 CET time. Late applications will not be considered.

We are also looking for partners to co-fund a full PhD/postdoc research project. If you are a potential partner and if you are interested in working with the Early Childhood community, please email us at early.childhood@uu.nl.