Comenius Leadership Fellowship: The Comenius Leadership Fellowship is a distinguished grant designed to foster educational innovation within higher education institutions. It offers substantial funding and support to professionals aiming to implement transformative projects that enhance teaching and learning experiences. This fellowship, offered by the Netherlands Organization for Research (NRO), is available to individuals or teams with innovative projects that have the potential to impact multiple faculties or institutions. The 2026 Comenius Leadership Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for educators to make lasting changes in the way students learn and engage with educational content.
Comenius Leadership Fellowship
The Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026 presents an exciting opportunity for educational innovators to transform higher education with groundbreaking projects. By offering substantial funding and institutional support, this fellowship enables educators to develop and implement innovative teaching methods, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and make lasting impacts on student learning experiences.
If you’re passionate about reshaping education and have a project that could make a significant difference, the Comenius Leadership Fellowship could be the platform to bring your vision to life. Be sure to align your project with your institution’s goals, demonstrate clear impact, and prepare a comprehensive proposal to stand the best chance of success.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Amount | €500,000 per project |
| Project Duration | 36 to 42 months |
| Eligibility Criteria | Minimum of 7 years teaching experience, demonstrated leadership, project alignment with institutional goals, and potential for broad impact across faculties or institutions. |
| Application Process | Internal proposal submission, university selection, national competition application. |
| Official Website | Netherlands Organization for Research |
Introduction
In March 2025, Leiden University announced the opening of applications for the Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026, offering €500,000 in funding for educational projects aimed at enhancing higher education. This fellowship is available to individuals or teams with innovative projects that have the potential to impact multiple faculties or institutions. The Comenius Leadership Fellowship is part of a broader national effort in the Netherlands to support innovative educational practices and build a more resilient and inclusive educational landscape.
Understanding the Comenius Leadership Fellowship
The Comenius Leadership Fellowship is part of the Netherlands’ broader strategy to promote educational excellence and innovation. Named after the Czech philosopher and educator John Amos Comenius, the fellowship seeks to honor his legacy by supporting projects that lead to significant improvements in teaching and learning within higher education. Comenius was a visionary in educational theory, emphasizing the importance of holistic learning and the development of the individual. This fellowship continues his mission by empowering leaders in education to create innovative learning environments that benefit students and educators alike.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of seven years of teaching experience in higher education, demonstrating a track record of successfully implementing educational projects.
- Leadership and Impact: The proposed project must align with the broader educational goals of the institution. Furthermore, it should showcase innovation that has the potential to significantly impact teaching and learning across faculties or institutions.
- Innovation and Scaling: The project should be either in the development or implementation phase, but it must aim to further innovate or scale. This could involve leveraging new teaching methods, technologies, or creating cross-disciplinary initiatives that will benefit a large number of students.
- Institutional Support: Each university can submit only one proposal per year, and it must be selected internally by the university. The selection process typically involves discussions with rectors and vice-deans to ensure the proposal aligns with the university’s strategic educational objectives.
Funding Details
Selected projects will receive €500,000 in funding to support development over a period of 36 to 42 months. This substantial grant is intended to cover various aspects of project development, including research, implementation, and evaluation phases. This level of financial support allows educators to not only innovate but also ensure that their ideas are thoroughly researched, tested, and refined before being rolled out on a larger scale. The funding can be used to cover salaries for team members, project-related materials, and other essential costs associated with project execution.
Comenius Leadership Fellowship Application Process
The application process for the Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026 involves several key steps:
- Proposal Submission: Interested applicants must submit a proposal summarizing the proposed project. The proposal should include a 100-150 word summary of the innovation, a description of the educational problem it addresses, its potential impact on students, and its relevance to other faculties or institutions. Additionally, it should outline the theoretical frameworks and models underpinning the project.
- Internal Review: Once proposals are submitted, they are reviewed by university leadership, including the rector and vice-deans. The selected initiatives are then nominated for submission to the national competition. Universities must ensure that the proposal is not only innovative but also realistic and feasible.
- National Submission: Nominated projects are then submitted for the national Comenius Leadership Fellowship competition. The final decision is made by an independent panel of experts. If successful, the project will receive the funding to begin implementation.
The national competition for 2026 is expected to open in summer 2025, and universities should be prepared to submit their nominations well in advance.
Timeline
The tentative timeline for the Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026 application process is as follows:
- Internal Submission Deadline: April 9, 2025
- University Selection Process: May 2025
- National Fellowship Application Opens: Summer 2025
It is important for institutions to be proactive and ensure that internal proposals are submitted on time to meet the national competition deadlines.
Preparing Your Application
To enhance the likelihood of a successful application, consider the following steps:
- Align with Institutional Goals: Ensure that your project aligns with your institution’s strategic educational objectives. Universities are more likely to support projects that contribute to long-term institutional goals and enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate Impact: Clearly articulate the potential impact of your project on teaching and learning. Provide evidence-based justifications, such as research findings or case studies that support the effectiveness of the proposed innovation.
- Engage Stakeholders: Involve relevant stakeholders early in the project design process. This could include faculty members, students, and administrators who will be directly or indirectly affected by the project. Broad institutional support is key to the success of the initiative.
- Detail Planning: Provide a comprehensive project plan that outlines objectives, methodologies, timelines, and evaluation strategies. A well-detailed plan will reassure reviewers that your project is well thought out and executable.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is eligible to apply for the Comenius Leadership Fellowship 2026?
A1: Applicants must have a track record of successfully implementing educational projects and be affiliated with a higher education institution. The proposed project should align with the institution’s educational goals and aim for innovation or scaling.
Q2: What is the funding amount for selected projects?
A2: Each selected project will receive €500,000 in funding to support development over 36 to 42 months.
Q3: How can I submit a proposal?
A3: Proposals should be submitted to your institution’s designated contact person. For example, at Leiden University, proposals are sent to Anna Terra Verhage at [email protected].
Q4: What is the deadline for proposal submission?
A4: Internal proposals should be submitted by April 9, 2025, to meet the university’s internal review and selection process.
Q5: Can the funding be used for salaries?
A5: Yes, the €500,000 funding can be used to cover various project-related expenses, including salaries for team members, research, materials, and other essential costs associated with project execution.
