The Sustainability Award recognises and stimulates impactful and engaged sustainability initiatives within Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). The award is granted to an individual or group (e.g. students, staff, or student associations) for an existing or new initiative that contributes to sustainability and creates real-world impact.
We invite the EUR community to nominate initiatives for this award.
About the Sustainability Award
The Sustainability Award consists of:
- a monetary prize of up to €5,000 to be invested in the initiative;
- a certificate of appreciation signed by the Rector Magnificus.
The award ceremony takes place during the Opening of the Academic Year.
The award is granted to an individual or group (e.g. students, staff, or student associations) with an existing or new sustainability initiative that engages with society and creates real-world impact.
Submissions are assessed based on:
- Contribution to EUR’s sustainability ambitions
As an engaged university, EUR aims to create a net positive impact on the climate and ecosystems through its education, research, and operations, in collaboration with societal partners. - Societal impact
Demonstrated or potential contribution to real-world change, addressing environmental, social, and/or economic sustainability challenges. - Innovation and approach
The degree to which the initiative is innovative and reflects the Erasmian Way of working (co-creative, interdisciplinary, outside-in, and inclusive). - Scalability and long-term potential
The potential for scaling, replication, or long-term embedding within or beyond EUR. - Engagement with societal partners
The quality and depth of collaboration with external partners (e.g. public, private, or civil society), including co-creation, knowledge exchange, or participation in broader ecosystems. - Feasibility
The feasibility of the initiative, including the realistic and timely use of the prize money within the academic year.
All members of the EUR community can submit a nomination. Faculties, departments, and professional services are encouraged to coordinate submissions. As a guideline, approximately one nomination per faculty, ABD, and professional services unit (including the University Library) is expected.
Joint nominations across faculties, departments, or services are encouraged, in line with EUR’s ambition to stimulate transdisciplinary collaboration.
Each nomination should include:
- General information
Name of nominee, faculty/department/service, and contact person (name and email). - Description of the initiative
A concise description of the initiative, including its purpose, activities, and context within EUR. - Contribution to sustainability
How the initiative contributes to creating a net positive impact on the climate and ecosystems through its education, research, and operations, in collaboration with societal partners. - Innovation and collaboration (approach and process)
What makes the initiative innovative and how it reflects the Erasmian Way of working. Include relevant collaborations (internal and/or external), and describe how partners are involved (e.g. co-creation, implementation, knowledge exchange). - Impact and future potential (outcome and change)
What the current or expected impact of the initiative is. Describe the concrete changes the initiative contributes to, and its potential for scaling, replication, or long-term structural embedding within or beyond EUR. - Intended use of the prize money
A brief description of how the €5,000 prize will be used. Endorsement
Name and position of endorser (Dean, Director, or Head of Department) and signature.
- Optional: links or supporting material
Nominations should be submitted as one PDF document to: awards@eur.nl.
Deadline
15 June 2026, 12:00 (noon)
The jury consists of four members:
- Strategic Dean for Impact & Engagement (Chair)
- Dean (Portfolio holder Sustainability)
- Strategic Advisor Sustainability
- Representative of the University Council
The final decision is taken by the Executive Board based on the jury’s recommendation.
2024: EUC students Stefanie Essaadi and Emma Kibel, for their project EUC garden
2023: EFR, the school association of Erasmus School of Economics
2022: Eurekaweek Board
2021: The Green Intensive Care
