Funding

Call for Transforming cities community funding - deadline 3 April 2025

Transforming cities would like to stimulate bottom up initiatives for inter- and transdisciplinary activities in both research and education, with a focus on:

  • Early stage funding for kickstarting new collaborations around new and unexpected ideas that cannot be funded elsewhere;​

  • Resources to sustain structural networks / themes across faculties that can spin off bigger projects and research.

Aim Transforming Cities community

The Transforming Cities community stimulates cutting edge knowledge exchange and collaborations among Utrecht University scholars, students and societal actors interested in sustainable urban transformations to advance new ways of thinking as a basis for radical innovation and social change. Through these events and collaborations we aim to offer alternative entry points for co-developing transformative action in cities. 

Requirements and practicalities

  • Transforming Cities funds initiatives up to 10.000 euro.
  • Funding may be used for any type of activity contributing to the mission and objectives of the community, and coordinated by an inter- and/or transdisciplinary team.
  • There should be one or more clear deliverable(s), broadly understood as all activities or products that show that the objectives of the community funding call have been met.
  • We encourage collaboration with external parties.
  • We encourage activities or projects that include a societal engagement activity.
  • As an example, funding can be used for, but is not limited to, (international) meetings, workshops and other events; travel and accommodation costs; assistants or other support; facilitators or coaches; visiting fellowships; education activities or internships; outreach and communication; etc.

Application procedure

  • We ask you to pitch your idea at the community day 20 March 2025. You will receive feedback during the event.
  • After the event you will have a week to develop your proposal further
  • The application deadline is 3 April 2025.
  • You can send the application form to Geertje Speelman at future.cities@uu.nl.
  • We will discuss the proposals and inform you of our decision in the week of 14 April 2025.