Signature Project Grants

After the Incubator phase, (part of) the team may decide to apply for a Signature Project Grant. The application form and submission deadline (one year after the Kickstarter workshop) will be shared with the Incubator teams. 

Before submitting their final proposals, teams will have the opportunity to discuss their Signature idea or pre-proposal with the PtS Programme Board for feedback.

Conditions and eligibility 

Applications should meet the following conditions:

• Alignment with the guiding principles and aims of Pathways to Sustainability funding and contribution to one or more Impact Areas (see Procedure)
• Integration of different types of expertise through inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations.
• Active involvement by scholars from at least three faculties and multiple PtS Communities is required; involvement of external stakeholder is encouraged.
• Applications should be challenge-based: formulated and designed in such a way that they resonate within multiple PtS Communities and inspire collaboration across these Communities.
• Applications should contribute to accelerating change through initiatives that are not yet happening elsewhere in UU and/or are not easily funded via other channels.
• Applications should aim to create time and space for UU scholars, including early-career researchers, to make an active contribution.
• Teams commit to an open and inclusive design process, where initial ideas may change with the input and integration of various types of expertise. They also commit themselves to peer-assessment once they submit an application.

Trust in our scholars and in the process is key. We aim to facilitate as many promising initiatives as possible. To be able to do so, we encourage applicants to only apply for necessary costs.

Eligible costs

Signature Project Grants may be used  to fund for example:

• part-time PtS fellowships (e.g. 0.2 fte) - in consultation with the faculties and departments concerned;
• research or education assistance;
• project management support;
• hiring external expertise or support;
• education, including involving students, student teams or internships;
• outreach and communication support;
• organization support forevents or workshops;
• fund small exhibitions or performances, open access publications;
• field trips and travel/ accommodation costs;
• buying or hiring materials or services to carry out the project.

Project management

Given the inter- and transdisciplinary nature of Signature Projects, budgeting for dedicated project management is strongly recommended. This may include facilitating collaboration, supporting co-creation processes and integrating outcomes across disciplines and partners.

Signature Project proposals are assessed by a committee composed of Programme Board and Community Board members. The assessment focuses on the quality, ambition and feasibility of the proposed project in relation to the Pathways to Sustainability guiding principles and impact ambitions.

As part of the procedure, all applicant teams participate in a peer-review process. Each team is asked to review one other proposal and provide constructive feedback.

In addition, teams are invited for a short interview with the assessment committee, allowing the committee to ask clarifying questions about the proposal.

Assessment criteria

1. Mission, ambition & PtS alignment
2. Inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations
3. Originality, transformative potential and amplification
4. Feasibility, organisation and resourcing

A full description of the assessment criteria can be found in the Procedure for Incubator & Signature Project Grants.

Signature Project Grants need to be spent within 24 months after allocation. Within this timeframe, teams determine the exact planning of their activities.

Guidance and support

We not only fund projects but also actively support teams in navigating transdisciplinary and transformative collaboration. Support includes for example: 

• Kick-off and update meetings with the Programme Board and relevant community managers;
• Supporting transdisciplinary collaborations including the Transdisciplinary Field Guide and training on Transdisciplinary Competencies (together with Centre for Unusual Collaborations);
• Communication and outreach support, including the use of Pathways to Sustainability communication channels;
• Collective learning, by inviting project teams to share insights and experiences with other projects and broad Pathways to Sustainability community.

Follow-up and sustainability 

With the Signature Projects, we aim to stimulate long-term collaboration and lasting impact. Teams are encouraged to start thinking early about how to sustain and extend their work beyond the project’s funding period. The PtS Programme Board, Communities and our Research Support Office colleagues can provide advice and support in identifying opportunities.