Foundation Het Jan van Paradijs Fonds

Aims of the foundation

To support the education and formation of students and young researchers in the field of astronomy, particularly at the University of Amsterdam, and all activities that directly or indirectly contribute to these aims.

Ways in which the foundation realizes these aims include:

• Founding and co-financing special professor positions (bijzonder hoogleraars positions) at the University of Amsterdam.
• Founding and co-financing visiting professor chair at the University of Amsterdam, called the Jan van Paradijs Chair.
• Providing financial support for master and graduate students for attending scientific conferences and other meetings.

The aims of the foundation are given in more detail in the beleidsplan of the foundation (PDF, in Dutch).

Financial means

The financial means of the foundation are obtained from:

• Gifts, legacies, inheritances
• Donations from private individuals and companies
• Other sources of income

Presently existing special professorships of the foundation

• High-Energy Astrophysics, in particular Space Instrumentation
  (since 1 februari 2020. Presently vacant, because of the retirement of Prof. Dr. J.W. den Herder, SRON Leiden, on 1 February 2025. Soon to be filled again.)
• Observational High-Energy Astrophysics, in particular: Black-Hole Feedback.
  Prof. Dr. M. Wise, director of NWO Institute SRON, Leiden; since 1 april 2021

Kinds of financial support for master and graduate students

• For master students in astronomy of the University of Amsterdam: grants for taking part in the Nederlandse Astronomen Conferentie (NAC).
• For master and graduate students in astronomy in the Netherlands: grants as contribution in the expenses for taking part in international conferences, workshops and summer schools.
• Grants as contribution in the expenses for foreign graduate students for scientific visits to astronomy institutes in the Netherlands.

In view of the limited capital of the foundation the latter two types of grants are limited to a maximum of 200,– Euro per application.

Procedure for application for a grant

To apply for a grant, one should fill out a grant application form through the link below:

• Word document
• PDF document

Send the completed application form to:

The application form has to be co-signed by the supervisor or research leader of the student. After receipt of the application, the board decides on the granting of the subsidy. The evaluation of the application takes about a month.

Criteria for being awarded a grant

Grants for graduate students are awarded for participation in scientific meetings such as a conference, workshop or summer school in the field of research of the student. The maximum grant is 200,– Euro. One cannot apply for more than one grant per calender year.

A brief scientific report and overview of expenses (expenses and received subsidies/grants) must be submitted within three months after the end of the attended meeting.

Application for a grant for a meeting that already has taken place is not possible.

Composition of the board of the foundation

The board carries out its work without financial compensation and is composed as follows:

• Prof. Dr. E.P.J. van den Heuvel (chair, emeritus UvA)
• Prof. Dr. L. Kaper (secretary, UvA)
• Prof. Dr. R.A.M.J. Wijers (treasurer, UvA)
• Prof. Dr. M. van der Klis (emeritus UvA)
• Dr. S.J. Noorda (emeritus UvA)
• Dr. N. Degenaar (UvA)
• Prof. Dr. T.J. Galama (University of Southern California en Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam)

Overview of Activities and Finances

A brief overview of activities and a financial overview of the means of the foundation is available in this PDF file (in Dutch).