Groninger Universiteitsfonds - GUF-100 Awards

GUF-100 Awards

You receive 2,500 EUR for your studies or research, plus a certificate, as one of the top students of your faculty at the University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen). It is a one-off prize, not a monthly grant. Each year one winner is chosen per faculty, so 11 prizes are handed out in total. Winners also join the GUF-100 community, and one of them gives a short speech at the official opening of the academic year in the Martinikerk. The prize comes from the Groninger Universiteitsfonds (GUF) and was first awarded in 1993 for the fund's 100th anniversary.

Who can apply

• University: You are currently enrolled as a student at the University of Groningen. Graduates cannot apply.
• Field of study: Any subject. Each of the 11 faculties picks its own winner.
• Grades: You have excellent academic results.
• Beyond your studies: You can show special achievements outside your degree, for example activities alongside your studies.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply. There is no restriction by nationality, subject, gender or financial need.

How to apply

You put yourself forward at your faculty after its open call, or a teacher or fellow student nominates you. Each faculty picks its three strongest candidates from the motivation letters, recommendation letters and CVs submitted. The 33 nominees then give a short pitch and answer questions in front of the GUF-100 jury, which selects one winner per faculty. Prizes are handed out each year in early July at the Ceremony of Merits.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is narrow: only students at one university compete, and each faculty selects just one winner. So the pool for any single prize is small but very strong. Grades alone are not enough, because the jury also weighs achievements outside your degree. If you are among the top students in your faculty and can show clear extra engagement, your prospects are real.