Seed funding: Call for proposals

The Digital Pathways to Sustainability community invites you to submit proposals for small-scale projects at the intersection of digitalisation and sustainability. With this seed funding, we aim to support creative, impact-driven projects and interdisciplinary collaborations that explore how we can align digital transitions with a sustainable future. Applicants can apply for funding of up to €2,000 until 7 May.

Themes

We provide funding for projects at the intersection of digitalisation and sustainability. We particularly encourage proposals that align with the mission of our Digital Pathways community and have the potential for collaboration with our community. Within this theme, we welcome proposals for funding in 3 areas:

1. Impact-related activities. The funding can be used for the organization of an event, for example to arrange catering, book a venue, invite a guest speaker, etc. The funding is also available for other impact-related activities, such as knowledge dissemination. The funding can, for example, be used to collaborate with an artist, develop workshop materials, or design and print a publication for non-academic audiences.
2. Drafting a research proposal. The grant can be used to organise a preparatory meeting with collaboration partners, or to hire a student assistant to help with the research and writing.
3. Greening IT at UU. Projects on the environmental impact of Utrecht University, which aim to analyze, or map ways to decrease the environmental impact of the university’s IT infrastructure. Applicants in this area can benefit from the exploratory report published on this topic, as part of the Digitally Green project (led by Judith Keilbach).

Conditions

• Applicants can apply for a maximum of 2000 euros. With 6000 euros available in this funding round, we can grant funding to three projects.
• Applicants must be employed by the UU. We especially welcome collaborations between people from different departments and faculties.

How to apply

Send a 1-page research proposal which includes the following information to our community email address (digitalpathways@uu.nl):

• Please provide a brief explanation of the area (as explained above) to which your proposal relates.
• Describe how your project aligns with the theme of the Digital Pathways to Sustainability community and its mission to scrutinize the environmental impact of digital transitions and/or catalyze new perspectives (see website).
• The composition of your (research) team.
• Describe the activities and expected outcomes of the project.
• Provide a budget of how you intend to spend the requested amount (up to 2000 euros).

Timeline

• Deadline for application: 7 May
• Communication of decisions: in the week of May 18th
• Projects: June-December 2026.
• The recipients of the seed funding are asked to present their activities at the Digital Pathways to Sustainability impact day in November 2026 (exact date TBD).

What outcome do we expect?

If your initiative is granted funding, we kindly request the following:

• Please provide a summary of the initiative, which will be published on our website. This can be a text (with a photo), video or any other suitable format
• Use the Pathways to Sustainability-Digital Pathways logo in promotion materials
• Mention the community during funded events
• Be available to share your progress or the results of your project during the Digital Pathways to Sustainability Impact Day in November 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).