Fund Niels Smith – applicant information
The Fund Niels Smith supports two young top athletes yearly with an athletics grant. In this way, they can combine their sports passion with their studies, if they receive no or limited support from other funds or NOC*NSF.
Who is eligible
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled as a WUR student
- Be admitted to the WUR top sports programme
- Not have received/received limited support from other funds or NOC*NSF
- Preferably be (were) NOC-certified
Maximum amount grant
Two grants are awarded yearly of € 2,000. A grant from the Niels Smith Fund is a one-off payment. The grant can be spent on internships/training camps, participation in tournaments or material costs. Personnel costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
How to apply
An application for support from the Niels Smith Fund can be made annually via the application form before 14 March. Applications will be handled by Henri ten Klooster, Head of Sports Centre de Bongerd. The application round for 2026 is yet to be announced.
More information about the Fund Niels Smith
Foundation Fund Niels Smith
The Fund Niels Smith was founded in honor of Niels.
Niels Smith was a talented soccer player, sportsmanlike and very involved. His attitude was one that could turn a losing game into a winning attitude so his team would not only come close, but would actually win the game. That small push in the right direction was all that was needed.
Niels always knew when to give that extra impulse, no matter how small. His death, chosen by himself at 15 years of age, was an enormous blow. The impulse was gone. Something had to be done with the energy that Niels gave to sports during his short life. Of this his mother, Marianne Remmers, was immediately convinced.
His ‘sports energy’ must live on in one form or another and Marianne decided to create the Fund Niels Smith in his memory. A fund that provides sporters with that ‘small impulse’ to help them fulfil their dreams.
Marianne says, “My dream is to support talented Wageningen- or Van Hall Larenstein sporters in their specific sports programme, within or outside of the Netherlands. I would also like to support foreign top sporters who choose to combine a study at Wageningen University or Van Hall Larenstein with their sports programme.”
Overview winners
2025 – Leanne van Vegten (Beach Volleyball) and Samuel Chapple (Athletics)
2024 – Iepe Bouw (Lacrosse) and Kelly van Buiten (Badminton)
2023 – Lauren Heijnsdijk (Softball) and Boris van Hunnik (Wheelchair Basketball)
2022 – Esma Staal (Handball) and Sofie Dokter (Heptathlon)
2020 - Floortje Hoogstede (Sailing)
2019 - Emma Oosterwegel (Combined Events)
2018 - Steffie van der Peet (Track Cycling)
2017 - Hilde Jager (Judo) and Dèlenn van Oostrom (Open Water Swimming)
2016 - Max de Voogt (Water Polo) and Eva Hovenkamp (Athletics)
2015 - Evelien Donkers (Judo)
2014 - Dieuwertje de Wagenaar (Competitive Dancing) and Krijn Schetters (Judo)
2013 - José van Paassen (Rowing) and Jan-Willem van Schip (Cycling)
2012- Carrie Wegh (Archery) and Mayon Kuipers (Speed Skating)
2011 - Evelien Dekkers (Javelin Throw)