Four Dutch scientists awarded €1.5 million each to continue their “groundbreaking” work
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded its annual Spinoza and Stevin prizes, the highest awards in Dutch academia and research. This year, four scientists will receive 1.5 million euros in “recognition of their outstanding, groundbreaking and inspiring work,” and to continue that research. The prizes went to Thijn Brummelkamp, Judith Pollmann, Ilse Aben, and Ingrid Robeyns.
Prof. Dr. Thijn Brummelkamp and Prof. Dr. Judith Pollmann were awarded the NWO Spinoza prize this year. This prize is the highest award in Dutch academia and honors researchers who rank among the very best in the world. Recipients of this award “conduct outstanding and groundbreaking research with a broad impact,” the NVWO said.
Brummelkamp, a professor at UMC Utrecht and scientific director of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, has used genetic research to uncover new strategies against pathogens. His techniques contributed to the development of new treatments for cancer and various infectious diseases.
Brummelkamp called the award a “great honor” for himself and the colleagues he works with. “It’s wonderful that we can use the prize money to support fundamental research, which will help us gain a deeper understainding of how cancer cells function.”
Pollmann, a professor of early modern Dutch history at Leiden University, researches how people in the past coped with radical social changes and the impact on personal and collective identities. “She employs innovative methodologies, bridges the gap between academic and local knowledge, and initiates high-level international discussions,” the NWO said.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be given so much trust,” Pollmann said. “The freedom, time, and resources to pursue your ideas freely and inspire others to join you. It truly is the greatest gift a scientist could wish for.”
The Stevin Prize, honoring researchers who have had a great societal impact, went to Prof. Dr. Ilse Aben and Prof. Dr. Ingrid Robeyns this year.
Aben, a senior scientist at SRON and a professor by special appointment at the VU University in Amsterdam, has helped develop satellites that detect greenhouse gas emissions and provided governments and companies with tools to act against leaks. “In doing so, she has made a unique and indispensable contribution to the fight against climate change,” NWO said.
“As a scientist, I think it’s fantastic to be able to contribute directly to something as important as combating climate change. We mainly use the TROPOMI satellite instrument for this purpose. It was developed in the Netherlands, which is something we can all take great pride in. Therefore, I see this award as recognition for TROPOMI, and I share the honour with all those who contributed to it,” Aben said.
Robeyns, a professor of ethics of institutions at Utrecht University, studies how to more fairly distribute justice, wealth, and well-being. Her work advocates “limitarianism,” the idea that extreme personal wealth is morally and socially harmful, and she develops policy proposals for an upper limit on wealth. “Her excellent research provides concrete solutions to inequality and the institutions of our social contract, as well as the challenges posed by democratic decline,” NWO said.
Robeyns said she was “delighted” to receive the Stevin Prize. “In my research, I develop concepts, theories, and normative analyses to help us better understand and improve society. This requires us to carefully combine insights from different disciplines, without being overly constrained by traditional academic boundaries. It’s fantastic to see this kind of research recognised with the Stevin Prize.”
