Compete for the UU Team Award for Education of 2026

Innovative, high-quality and future-proof. This is what characterizes education at Utrecht University. For years, Utrecht University has been at the forefront of educational innovation. Together, we work across borders to create a better world by working on the quality of our education. 

To stimulate and reward cooperation in the field of education at UU, the UU Team Prize for Education has been awarded for several years to a team that has made an exceptional contribution to education at UU. Important in this is the cooperation within the team and how this has contributed to the special achievement. It may be a permanent team or a team that came together for a temporary project. Team performance is an important element in the award procedure and is in line with the UU vision of recognition and rewards.

Recognition and rewards

Recognition and rewards is not only about how we have set up our organisation but also - at least as important - about the way we work. This is reflected in the growing focus on team spirit and cooperation, development and (personal) leadership. According to the UU vision on Recognition and Rewardsteam spirit and collaboration between different disciplines and organizational components are at the basis of our work and are key conditions for making an impact. 

Nominating a team

Each faculty can nominate one faculty team that makes or has made an outstanding impact on education within its own faculty. Additionally, each faculty can nominate an inter-faculty team as its representative  Faculty and inter-faculty teams can be nominated by their (vice) dean.  Finally, teams that are not part of a faculty but are part of the University Library or one of the units of the University Corporate Offices and have a significant impact on education can also submit a nomination. These teams can be nominated by their director. 

Composition of the team

The team to be nominated consists of a minimum of four and a maximum of ten members with different roles. In this respect, a diverse team is important. For example, the team may consist of a mix of lecturers, educational advisors, management- or office assistants, educational researchers, policy staff, project staff, (PhD) students, student assistants, administrative staff and an involved education director.

The nominated team may be a team that has been teaching a course together for many years, but it can also be a team that has temporarily worked together on a project that has made a special contribution to education. Within the team, it is important that here is a focus on development for all members

Previous winning teams

The award is being organised for the fourth time. Wondering who won the previous times? In 2024 the winning team was Team Living Pasts in 2025 Team Summer School Digital Art History won the award. 

Criteria for the UU Team Award for Education 2026

• The team has made an outstanding contribution to education at UU. Please note that the impact must have been within the last 5 years.
• The team consists of a minimum of four and a maximum of ten members with different roles.
• The nomination describes the initiatives or work of the team and uses examples to show this.
• The nomination shows the importance of collaboration within the team and how this has contributed to the special achievement in education and to development opportunities for the team members.
• The nomination includes an example of the result or impact made by the team, as indicated by the (vice-)dean or director.

Prize

The winning team will receive €5.000 to be spent on team development, team building, a training or course, a contribution to a study trip, an offsite-day or the like of their choice.

How to compete

Nominations can be submitted until Thursday 18 December 2025  by emailing the completed form to cat@uu.nl. Please put ‘Nomination UU Team Award for Education’ in the subject of the e-mail.

Award Ceremony at the OnderwijsFestival 2026

A jury will assess the nominations and nominate a maximum of three teams. These three teams will be invited to give a short pitch during the jury meeting. The winner of the UU Team Award for Education 2026 will be announced at the Education Festival on Thursday 5 March 2026.