Comeniusprogramma Leadership Fellows 2026

Funded projects are expected to deliver significant, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning across one or more faculties or entire institutions, directly benefiting students. Outcomes should include:

• Implementation of innovative pedagogies, curricula or educational processes aligned with institutional strategy.

• Demonstrable enhancements in student engagement, success rates or learning outcomes.

• Strengthened capacity for educational leadership and culture change within the institution.

• Transferable models or toolkits for broader adoption within Dutch higher education.

• Comprehensive documentation (reports, data management plan) enabling dissemination of best practices nationally.

• Applicants must be currently employed education professionals at NWO‐funded Dutch higher education institutions (hbo or wo) with at least seven years of teaching experience, proven educational leadership qualities, and demonstrable impact on their institution’s teaching climate.

• Each institution may submit only one application.

• Projects must align with the strategic (education) plan of the host institution and deliver direct, measurable benefits to students in Dutch higher education.

• Budgets must be between €450,000 and €500,000 (total per project) and cover a project duration of at least 36 and at most 42 months.

• No predefined thematic priorities—applicants propose their own, institutionally relevant innovations.

• Mandatory submission of an intent declaration by 4 September 2025, 14:00 CEST; full proposals due 30 October 2025, 14:00 CEST.