What is the Spotlight Prize?
Pitch Your PhD Research and Compete for the Spotlight Prize!
Liever Nederlands?
Are you a PhD student looking to showcase your research in a compelling and impactful way? Want to improve your communication skills and win €500? Then the Jong KNCV Spotlight Prize is the perfect opportunity for you!
Present your research in a captivating one-minute video pitch. A professional jury will select three finalists from all submissions. These finalists will have the chance to present their research in a 3-minute pitch to an audience at the Avond van de Chemie. This is your chance to share your work on a prestigious stage that has previously featured notable speakers such as Patricia Dankers, Chris Slootweg, Gerard van Westen, Tom van Aken, Ben Feringa, and many more.
The winner, chosen by the audience, will receive the Spotlight Prize, €500, and the opportunity to record an Eye-Opener. The two other finalists will each receive €250.
The Spotlight Prize is proudly sponsored by Ardena, a leader in drug development.
How to enter
To participate, submit a short video (maximum 1 minute in Dutch or English) introducing your research in a clear and creative way. Not sure where to start? Check out previous submissions for inspiration!
The deadline for video submissions is May 25, 2025, at 23:59h. Submit your video to jong@kncv.nl and share it on our social media channels (LinkedIn or Instagram). A jury will review all videos and select the three best entries, who will then be invited to pitch their research live at the Avond van de Chemie on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Concertgebouw de Vereeniging in Nijmegen.
For more details about the competition, please refer to the official regulations.
Who can participate?
This competition is open to PhD students who have a clear connection to a Dutch institution. Both Dutch and international PhD students are eligible to enter, provided that their PhD project is based in the Netherlands.
The jury of the preliminary rounds consists of Merel Spierings (Chair Young KNCV), Daniël Linzel (Professional Editor C2W|Mens & Molecule), Lian Blijlevens (R&D Project Manager Ares), Annemarie Maan (Science Communicator ExperiMaan) and Bas Tuenter (Founder Sustainables). The winner of the Spotlight Prize will be chosen by the audience of the Avond van de Chemie.
If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to jong@kncv.nl.
