| Maastricht University

Maastricht University is launching a new research call focused on circularity, starting in May 2025. This initiative is part of UM’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a maximum circular campus and society by 2035. The call is designed to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, support innovative research, and translate circular thinking into tangible societal impact.

The circular economy is not only about reducing waste—it’s about redesigning systems to eliminate waste altogether by applying strategies such as reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycling. Through this call, we encourage researchers to explore circularity in a broad range of contexts: from materials science and urban planning to business models, policy, and behavioral change. Projects may be theoretical or applied, as long as they contribute to the knowledge, practices, or conditions that support a more circular world.

The call will be open to all faculties, but particular emphasis will be placed on cross-faculty collaborations. Successful proposals will receive financial support to explore circular topics in new and creative ways. Researchers will be encouraged to connect with societal partners, industry, or public institutions to ensure the research has real-world relevance and impact.

This research call marks an important step in making UM a hub for circular innovation and knowledge. By fostering bold ideas and interdisciplinary teamwork, we aim to drive the circular transition from the heart of our academic community.

For any questions or inquiries about the research call, please get in touch with Ahmed Hussain (ahmed.hussain@maastrichtuniversity.nl)!

Maastricht University is committed to contributing to a sustainable and just energy transition. As part of this effort, we are developing an assessment framework to help researchers and staff evaluate whether their projects and partnerships align with the transition to a fossil-free society. The goal is not to impose restrictions, but to create clarity and promote responsible, well-informed decision-making in line with UM’s sustainability ambitions.

At the heart of the framework are two guiding questions:

Is the prospective partner part of the fossil fuel industry?
What impact does the project have on the transition to a fossil-free society?

These questions guide a simple yet thoughtful self-assessment. Depending on the outcomes, researchers may proceed with the project, adjust their approach, or seek advice from a dedicated committee. The process is designed to stimulate early-stage reflection, for example during grant writing or partner selection.

In 2025, we are running a one-year pilot phase of the framework within two faculties: the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) and the School of Business and Economics (SBE). This pilot will help us better understand how the framework works in practice and what kind of support researchers need. Throughout this phase, researchers can turn to the Sensitive Partnerships Unit—a team of professionals available to assist with the assessment process, offer guidance, and help interpret the results.

To make the process accessible, we are also developing a user-friendly online tool. This tool will guide researchers through the self-assessment and provide links to relevant data sources, such as the GOGEL list for identifying fossil fuel companies. Ultimately, this framework forms part of a broader effort to align UM’s research ecosystem with ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible standards.

Carolin Sehlbach’s research examines feedback as a tool for growth in education

“I hope to show people how to view evaluations not as a tick-box exercise, but as an opportunity for meaningful reflection and growth,” s

Discrimination makes women want to work less

UM news

Recent research by scientists at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Aarhus University in Denmark shines a new lig

Young woman looking at a document with disbelief

Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Regulatory Challenges in Marine Environmental Policy

As part of the ‘AI & Marine Environmental Policy: What Role for Automated Systems?’ research project, a sensemaking workshop took place at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law on March 28, 2025.

Subscribe to