Submit your ideas: UM50 projects connecting city and university
Maastricht University is calling on residents, organisations and partners in Maastricht and the surrounding region to submit ideas together with UM staff members for Join UM50. This open call forms part of the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Submissions are open until 1 March 2026.
With Join UM50, Maastricht University supports initiatives that strengthen the connection between academia and society. The focus is on projects that bring people together, in the city and the region, and around key societal themes. Selected initiatives are eligible for financial support ranging from €500 to €5,000 per project.
From idea to activity
The call is open to a wide range of initiatives. Examples include public lectures, neighbourhood activities, science days for children, workshops with local partners, or small-scale community events. The key requirement is that the project strengthens the relationship between the university and society and is accessible to a broad audience.
Important to note: applications must be submitted by a staff member of Maastricht University. External parties may act as initiators or partners, but they must collaborate with a UM staff member who will act as the lead applicant.
Join UM50
In 2026, Maastricht University celebrates its 50th anniversary. The anniversary year will focus on connection, collaboration and societal impact. Through Join UM50, the university aims to create space for ideas emerging from practice. Local organisations, schools, cultural institutions, neighbourhood networks and community initiatives are invited to put forward ideas in partnership with a Maastricht University staff member. The projects will contribute to knowledge sharing, bring research and education closer to everyday life, and strengthen ties between UM and the city and region.
More information: um50.maastrichtuniversity.nl/join-um50
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