Kiem, Groei and Bloei
Kiem, Groei and Bloei are three funding tools that will take interdisciplinary research and teaching at Leiden University to another level. Find out more about the purpose of these funds and how to apply for them.
Recalibration Groei and Bloei
The internal funding tools ‘Groei’ and ‘Bloei’ are currently subject to a recalibration. From their original setup, these tools are linked to the so-called profiling themes of our university. In the consultation on these themes, which was held at the end of 2024 among all university employees, our academic community advised, among other things, that the choice of profiling themes should not lead to internal divisions. This is a clear and important signal, which we want to take into account carefully, also for the implementation of Groei and Bloei. After all, these are meant to stimulate and connect, not to divide. That is why we are now re-examining how we can use the capacity and resources of Groei en Bloei as effectively as possible to foster a flourishing interdisciplinary research and teaching culture within the university. That process takes time, because we don't want to make decisions lightly and want to listen to the needs of all faculties. While this recalibration process takes place, the information on this website about Groei and Bloei is not up to date. Further information about the recalibrated setup of these tools will be shared with the academic community in the course of 2025. Please note the Kiem grants remain outside of the current recalibration process; thus the information about Kiem is up-to-date.
What is Kiem Groei Bloei?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is the future. Crossing disciplinary barriers benefits both academia and society. The national and international research and teaching landscape therefore offers increasing space for projects that transcend the classic disciplines. But interdisciplinary collaboration is not yet fully recognised and rewarded. And silos within the university create practical obstacles that prevent our staff from collaborating across disciplines.
In Leiden University’s Strategic Plan we resolved to channel our efforts into building an interdisciplinary research and teaching environment on firm disciplinary foundations. One way we are doing so is by investing in three funding tools: Kiem, Groei and Bloei. By earmarking (from 2024 to 2028) time and money for interdisciplinary collaboration, we hope to create fertile ground for future initiatives in Leiden.
Kiem, Groei and Bloei will act as a flywheel for different levels of collaboration. Kiem is about facilitating encounters, for example with colleagues you have never met before or if so, only in passing. Groei is designed to explore whether a strong suspicion of synergy is warranted. This will be within a deeper partnership, with an emphasis on training and peer feedback. Bloei focuses on improving and professionalising existing collaborations within the university and with civil society partners. We will consolidate these collaborations by facilitating support and increasing the available time and resources.
Over 100 Kiem, Groei and Bloei projects will have the opportunity to explore, deepen or scale up interdisciplinary collaboration between 2023 (the launch year of Kiem) and 2028. In terms of ‘growth’, the tools are deliberately designed not to follow on from each other. To do justice to the different phases of interdisciplinary initiatives, from fledgling to professional, we are offering a range of options. This means that every Kiem will not necessarily develop into a Groei. One does not preclude the other, however, and a Kiem proposal could lay the groundwork for a future Groei.
Find out all you need to know about Kiem, Groei and Bloei.