Koninklijke Nederlandse Chemische Vereniging - KNCV travel grants (Reisbeurzen)

KNCV travel grants (Reisbeurzen)

You get a grant of up to 2,000 EUR towards travelling abroad for your work in chemistry. The Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (KNCV) runs five separate travel funds under this heading, so the amount depends on which one fits you:

• Geursen Fund: up to 500 EUR for a conference outside Europe, an internship abroad or another career activity; up to 350 EUR for a conference inside Europe. For chemists under 36.
• Fellinga Fund: up to 750 EUR for travel and accommodation when you represent KNCV at an international conference with a talk, or sit on a board of IUPAC or EuCheMS on its behalf.
• Chemistry Europe Travel Grant: a flat 2,000 EUR for a one to two-month research stay abroad, for postdocs.
• Organic Chemistry travel grant (SOC): up to 250 EUR (section member under 1 year) or up to 500 EUR (over 1 year) for an internship abroad at a non-commercial research institute. Up to 5 grants a year.
• Catalysis travel grant (Dutch Catalysis Society): up to 500 EUR for an internship abroad in catalysis, paid in two parts: 250 EUR on approval and 250 EUR after your report.

No grant pays more than your actual costs.

Who can apply

• Membership: You are a KNCV member, usually for at least 2 years. For the two internship grants you must instead be a member of the relevant section.
• Field: You work or study in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical technology. The catalysis and organic-chemistry grants are limited to those specific areas.
• Level: This depends on the fund. The Geursen Fund is for final-year HBO or university students, PhD students or working chemists under 36. The Chemistry Europe grant is for postdocs with at least 2 years' experience after their PhD. The two internship grants are for students at a Dutch HBO or university.
• Where you go: Abroad, in a country other than where you currently live or work. Internships must be at a non-profit research institution, not a company.
• Costs covered: You need real, documented travel or stay costs, since the grant never exceeds them.

How to apply

Each fund has its own route. The Geursen Fund and the Chemistry Europe grant use an online form; the others you apply for by email or through the KNCV office. Deadlines vary. The Fellinga Fund needs your application at least 2 months before the event. The current Chemistry Europe round closes on 15 October 2026, with winners announced in January 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

These grants are cut narrowly. You must already be a paying KNCV or section member in chemistry, and each fund targets a specific group, so the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you clearly fit one fund's requirements, have documented costs and apply within its deadline, your prospects are good. The internship grants award only a handful of places a year, so applying early helps.