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Christiaan Huygens Science Award

The Christiaan Huygens Science Prize honors a young researcher who has made an innovative contribution to space sciences, mathematics or physics in a dissertation. The laureate receives a bronze statue by Christiaan Huygens and a cash prize of 10,000 euros.

In 2025, the field of space sciences will be central.

Submit nominations:Is opening 4 February 2026

Disciplines

A different discipline takes centre stage each year, alternating between space science, mathematics, and physics. In 2024, the field of mathematics will be central.

More information is available on the website of the Christiaan Huygens Prize Foundation.

Who is it for?

Young researchers who have defended a dissertation at a Dutch university in space science, mathematics, or physics. Any researcher at a Dutch university who has defended a dissertation in the relevant discipline in the past three years (the current year and the full three calendar years preceding it) can be nominated for the prize.

A maximum of two honourable mentions are also awarded annually.

Who can submit a nomination?

The following persons can nominate a candidate for the prize:

  • deans of faculties of Dutch universities;
  • directors of research institutes;
  • directors of research schools.

Christiaan Huygens Science Prize 2024

The 2024 Christiaan Huygens Science Prize was awarded to Jan-Willem van Ittersum, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cologne. The presentation ceremony took place at the Oude Kerk in Voorburg on 16 October 2024.

Laureates

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