ECHO Award 2026 – Application Guidelines
Deadline
The internal deadline for submitting applications to the University of Groningen is 19 May 2026 at 23:59.
Selection criteria
The following criteria are used in the selection of finalists and winners:
Social impact: making tangible contributions that lead to positive change, both within and outside the educational institution, on socially relevant issues.
Policy and systemic change: being engaged in initiatives focused on policy-related and/or systemic issues aimed at addressing structural inequalities, and demonstrating a clear vision and strategy in doing so.
Leadership qualities: demonstrating inspiring leadership and the ability to mobilize and motivate others in processes of social change.
Practical criteria
To be considered for nomination, candidates must also meet the following requirements:
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You belong to an underrepresented group, with a specific focus on Dutch students with a non-Western or refugee background.*
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You have strong academic results (as a guideline, an average grade of 7.5 or higher).
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You have excellent proficiency in English.
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Applicants should also be aware that participation in the ECHO Award process includes several key events later in the year. If selected, candidates should be available to participate in these activities.
How to apply or nominate a student
To apply or nominate a student, please submit the following documents to the Diversity & Inclusion Office at diversity@rug.nl before the internal deadline:
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A completed application form (filled out by the student or together with the nominator)
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The student’s CV
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Personal motivation letter from the candidate. In this letter, the candidate is asked to address the following questions:
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What is your vision on societal impact, and how have you contributed to this in practice?
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How do you work toward sustainable change in policies and systems within the field of diversity and inclusion?
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How do you use your leadership qualities to inspire and mobilize others?
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Optional: An optional video pitch (maximum 3 minutes) in which the candidate presents their vision and societal impact
Selection process
A selection committee at the University of Groningen, coordinated by the Diversity & Inclusion Office, will review all applications and select which students will be nominated to the ECHO Awards.
The final selection of finalists and winners is made by the ECHO Awards organisation.
ECHO Awards timeline
After universities submit their nominations, the ECHO Awards follow the timeline below:
26 June 2026 – Deadline for universities to submit nominations to ECHO
5 September 2026 – ECHO Ambassador Academy
24 September 2026 – Jury deliberation (selection of finalists)
25 September 2026 – Announcement of finalists
29 October 2026 – Jury conversations with finalists
10 December 2026 – ECHO Award Ceremony (date subject to change)
Questions
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Diversity & Inclusion Office at diversity rug.nl