Applications Huub and Julienne Spiertz Fonds
The Huub and Julienne Spiertz (HJS) Fund awards travel grants to PhD candidates and postdocs at Wageningen University & Research under the age of 35 in the field of agrobiology and crop science. The grant is intended for a study trip to a foreign university or research institute or a visit to a conference.
Who is eligible
PhD Candidates and Postdocs associated with Wageningen University & Research can apply for the HJS Fund, if they are younger than 35 years of age and are conducting a study trip to a foreign university or research institute or a visit to an international conference.
Maximum amount of funding
Applicants may receive one stipend of maximum €1,500 per year.
How to apply
From the beginning of September to November 16, 2025, you can apply for a travel grant for conferences or visits scheduled to take place in 2026.
Before applying please read the guidelines carefully; we cannot process applications that do not meet these requirements.
Please note that applications must be for a planned research visit or conference taking place between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
Please send the application form and the requested attachments to Claudius van de Vijver by November 16 at the latest. See contact details on this page.
Download the guidelines and application form!
More information
Professor Huub Spiertz, emeritus professor Crop Ecology at Wageningen University, decided to create a Fund on Name when he turned 70 years old in 2011. He and his wife, Julienne Spiertz, want to offer PhD candidates and postdocs the chance to acquire foreign experience in crop science and agrobiology by providing funding for their study trips. In 2015, Huub Spiertz passed away. The Fund is continued by his wife.
Huub Spiertz: “Young researchers must be given the chance to discover what the scientific world has to offer. They often have little opportunity to acquire new scientific contacts outside of Wageningen University. Especially at the beginning of their PhD, much attention is placed inwards while that is the ideal time to gain ideas from outside; to test their ideas, to gain feedback and to exchange a train of thought. Attending congresses is usually done during the last phase of promotion but without a concrete goal, young researchers can get lost in the masses.”
The board of trustees of the HJS Fund is comprised of:
Mrs Vivian Spiertz, family representative
Prof. Dr. Ir. Niels Anten, professor/chair Centre for Crop Systems Analysis
Dr. ir. Katrien Descheemaeker, professor/chair Plant Production Systems
Dr. Claudius van de Vijver, Graduate school PE&RC, secretary
Questions?
Get in touch.
EMA (Lies) Boelrijk, B Ec
Director University Fund Wageningen
Follow University Fund Wageningen on social media
Stay up-to-date and learn more through our social channels.