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Partnering with VU Amsterdam

Our society faces complex challenges. By bringing together knowledge, perspectives and the power of innovation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam collaborates with partners to develop solutions – which we apply across education, research and practice.

Do you have a new idea or a challenging question? Do you work for a company, civil society organisation, government body or knowledge institution – or are you a start-up or alumnus? By working with VU Amsterdam, you can turn ideas into reality and explore solutions. For your own personal development, you can follow our education for professionals – enabling you to keep growing and making an impact.

Together with our researchers, students and other partners, you’ll work on solutions that are thoroughly grounded in evidence and directly applicable in practice. You’ll gain access to up-to-date scientific data and insights, a broad network, and state-of-the-art facilities and technologies. Together, these enable us to develop and test innovations at speed.

Why organisations partner with VU Amsterdam

  • Compact campus in the Zuidas innovation district. A vibrant hub where business, science and healthcare meet.
  • Knowledge in practice. On and around VU Amsterdam’s campus, we test and develop innovations and medical treatments. We connect supply and demand in jobs, internships and research placements. And we share scientific insights and translate them into societal impact.
  • Frontrunners in health and well-being. Thanks to our direct connection with Amsterdam UMC, we have access to high-end laboratories and advanced research facilities, including imaging, biobanks and cellonomics.
  • Humanities, sciences, social sciences and medicine – all in one place. Through our close collaboration with the University of Twente, we are also continuously connected to the latest technological developments.
  • Emancipatory university. We’re a diverse, inclusive and accessible university that’s actively engaged with society.

Whether you have a concrete issue, want to innovate, or wish to invest in knowledge and talent, VU Amsterdam is ready to think alongside you. Together, we can take on the challenges of today and tomorrow.

A selection of our partnerships

Partnership opportunities

  • Start-ups and scale-ups

    Entrepreneurship on VU Amsterdam’s campus

    Do you have plans, or are you ready to start a business? On VU Amsterdam’s campus, you'll receive support at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey – from idea and validation through to start-up, funding and growth. Discover our facilities, guidance and networks to help you achieve your goals.

    Facilities

    • The Demonstrator Lab gives you the means to test the feasibility of your idea, build a team, and develop a prototype in the workshop.
    • Amsterdam Startup Launch is a programme for entrepreneurial students and researchers with an innovative idea. Over ten interactive sessions, you'll develop your concept into a solid business plan, receive guidance from experts, and present your plan in a final pitch to a jury and the public.
    • VU StartHub provides office space to students and VU Amsterdam alumni looking to start a business. It’s a vibrant space on VU Amsterdam’s campus where you can draw on the knowledge and expertise of the university and business community.

    Want to know more about these facilities? Get in touch with VU StartHub.

    Practical guidance for starters

    Thinking of starting a company or social enterprise? The IXA-GO team offers practical guidance from initial exploration through to the launch of your venture. Explore the options.

    Offering an internship at your start-up

    Twice a year, the Demonstrator Lab hosts an internship market for early-stage start-ups, where you’ll meet motivated and curious students who can strengthen your team. Want to know more? Get in touch via dlab@vu.nl, with “Internship Market” as the subject.

    The program is intended for Amsterdam-based MSc and PhD students (and final-year BSc students) from all academic disciplines and fields of study, and is taught in English. 

  • Civil society organisations / NGOs

    Community Service Learning 

    Do you want to investigate and address a complex issue? Then take part in our Community Service Learning programme. We connect students with community initiatives, non-profit organisations and other civil society organisations. Explore the options.

    Climate Expertise Centre

    How do we accelerate the climate transition? Our Climate Expertise Centre brings together science and practice, from policy to innovation. Discover insights, tools and collaborations that help you make real impact. Read more.

    Offering an internship in Health & Life Sciences

    Does your organisation have a challenge in the field of Health & Life Sciences? Offer an internship through the Athena Institute. Students conduct research and provide practical insights to help your organisation effectively address societal challenges. Find out more.

    Internships and job vacancies

    Take a look at the opportunities by faculty:

    • Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam

    Contact h.w.vanbruggen@acta.nl

    • Faculty of Science

    Contact Career Services via careerservices.vu@vu.nl

    • Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences

    Ask about the options via careerservices.fgb@vu.nl

    • Faculty of Medicine

    Contact Career Officer Annemieke Smits via a.h.smits@amsterdamumc.nl

    • Faculty of Law

    View the options and conditions (in Dutch). 

    • Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

    View the options and conditions.

    • School of Business and Economics 

    View all the options

  • Companies

    Research collaboration

    Looking to have something investigated, test an application, or assess feasibility? Through a research collaboration, our academics can support your company with tailored expertise, data and advice – helping you strengthen your innovative capacity and increase your impact. Various forms of collaboration are possible, including contract research (paid research focused on a business objective) and public-private partnerships (subsidised projects with shared added value).

    Want to know more? Discuss the options with IXA-GO, our team that brings together businesses and researchers. IXA-GO specialises in setting up research collaborations in the following areas:

    • Health, nutrition and well-being

    Contact Christos Latsos via c.latsos@vu.nl

    • Inclusive and safe societies

    Contact Marie-Anne van Reijen via m.a.van.reijen@vu.nl

    • Human-centred AI

    Contact Yvonne Blokland via y.m.blokland@vu.nl

    • Public-private partnerships

    Contact Paul de Vries via p.m.de.vries@vu.nl

    For research collaborations in other areas or any other queries, contact IXA-GO via ixa@vu.nl.

    In-company training

    With an in-company programme from VU for Professionals, you invest in leadership, knowledge and skills that make an immediate difference – scientifically grounded and applicable in practice. Whether you’re interested in leadership, innovation, finance, business, data or law: we develop custom programmes aligned with your business goals and ambitions – with lasting impact.

    Internships and job vacancies

    Take a look at the opportunities by faculty:

    • Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam

    Contact h.w.vanbruggen@acta.nl

    • Faculty of Science

    Contact Career Services via careerservices.vu@vu.nl

    • Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences

    Ask about the options via careerservices.fgb@vu.nl

    • Faculty of Medicine

    Contact Career Officer Annemieke Smits via a.h.smits@amsterdamumc.nl

    • Faculty of Law

    View the options and conditions (in Dutch). 

    • Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

    View the options and conditions.

    • School of Business and Economics 

    View all the options

    Offering an internship in Health & Life Sciences

    Does your organisation have a challenge in the field of Health & Life Sciences? Offer an internship through the Athena Institute. Students conduct research and provide practical insights to help your organisation effectively address societal challenges. Find out more

  • Government bodies

    Find the right expertise

    Looking for a VU Amsterdam researcher who can help you with a policy question? Use this tool to find a researcher with the right expertise.

    Community Service Learning 

    Do you want to investigate and address a policy question? Then take part in our Community Service Learning programme. We connect students with municipalities and other public organisations – for example, in the areas of inclusive and sustainable policy. Explore the options

  • Knowledge and research institutions

    Interdisciplinary research

    VU Amsterdam brings researchers together in Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, where you can meet, share knowledge and facilities, and collaborate on research with societal impact and successful funding applications. Take a look at the list of research institutes and contact them for more information.

    High-quality research facilities

    VU Amsterdam’s campus is home to high-quality research facilities and laboratories for education and research. Get an idea of the advanced possibilities in this overview.

  • Secondary schools

    Pre-University College

    Would you like to strengthen your school’s connection with higher education? VU Amsterdam’s Pre-University College supports pupils and teachers with programmes that prepare them for studying and conducting research. Discover the options for your school (in Dutch). 

  • Primary schools

    Wetenschapsknooppunt Amsterdam 

    Introduce pupils to science at an early age and spark their curiosity. As a partner of the Wetenschapsknooppunt Amsterdam, we bridge the gap between tertiary and primary education. The network supports professional development programmes in science and technology, provides free teaching materials on loan, and organises guest lessons.

    Hoe?Zo! Show

    VU Amsterdam is a partner of the Hoe?Zo! Show. This initiative consists of a teaching package and theatre show for primary school children aged 9–11. The teaching package helps pupils practise their research skills. In the interactive theatre show, young researchers answer pupils’ questions live in a race against the clock. 

  • Alumni

    Make use of our alumni network

    Join our global network of over 150,000 alumni. Build valuable connections and keep developing yourself. Meet peers, find new opportunities and stay connected with VU Amsterdam. Discover the benefits.

    Share your knowledge and experience

    Increase your visibility and expand your network by sharing your knowledge. There are various ways in which you can contribute – for example, as a guest speaker or mentor. Check out the possibilities at your faculty.

    Become a mentor, guest lecturer or VU StartHub partner

    Are you an entrepreneur? Sign up as a mentor, guest speaker or partner of VU StartHub: a vibrant start-up community on VU Amsterdam’s campus. Young entrepreneurs draw on the knowledge, experience and networks of entrepreneurial alumni here. Take a look at the options.

    Find VU Amsterdam talent for your organisation

    Looking for young VU Amsterdam talent for an internship or vacancy within your organisation? Most faculties have a vacancy board and offer other ways to connect with students and raise your organisation’s profile. Check out the options by faculty.

    Offering an internship in Health & Life Sciences

    Does your organisation have a challenge in the field of Health & Life Sciences? Offer an internship through the Athena Institute. Students conduct research and provide practical insights to help your organisation effectively address societal challenges. Find out more.

    Contribute through Dienst Universitaire Relaties en Fondsenwerving (DURF)

    Stay connected with VU Amsterdam and make an impact. DURF brings together alumni, partners and donors, organises inspiring events and fundraising activities through the VUfonds, and supports education and research. Discover how you can get involved

  • Organisations for religion, spiritual meaning and society

    VU Expertise Centre for Religion and Society

    Do you work in the field of spiritual care, pastoral care or worldview education? Does your organisation have a question relating to religion or spiritual meaning? Our expertise centre offers a wide range of research, courses, training programmes and advisory services. 

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