Deeptech Pioneer Fellowship
Thanks to the Deeptech Pioneer Fellowship, my research is now being converted into practical applications.
The one-year Deeptech Pioneer Fellowship programme supports early-career researchers at our Faculty in bringing breakthrough scientific innovations to market. Breakthroughs in fields such as AI, green chemistry, and robotics have the potential to address major societal challenges kike climate, health care and food.
This programme is rather unique in the Netherlands. Similar initiatives at leading universities in Switzerland and the United States have already resulted in many successful startup companies.
Selection
The selection committee brings academic, entrepreneurial, and industry expertise to the selection process and includes:
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Entrepreneurial professors from the Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Investors and venture capitalists
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Industry experts
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Members of the startup ecosystem in the Northern Netherlands
Funding: Nationaal Programma Groningen
The programme is supported by a grant of €1.5 million from the Nationaal Programma Groningen, which contributes to strengthening the the regional economy.
Contact
If you are interested in the Deep Tech Pioneer Fellowship or have specific questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact the project leaders, Matthias Heinemann or Victor Stoica. They will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Meet some of the Fellows
Developing a technology to convert industrial CO₂ into valuable chemicals.
More information
Developing an automated flow synthesis platform to create lead-free infrared quantum dots with tunable optical properties for sustainable SWIR applications.
More information
Development of an advanced protein-labelling system
Design Automation for the Future of Computing
Development of a biobased preservative
June 20 meeting: a successful first year
The Fellowship has completed a successful first year. On Friday, June 20 2026, UG Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen, Nationaal Programma Groningen Director Nienke Baars, Deputy Regional Executive Erik Jan Bennema, Jakob Klompien (Nij Begun) and the program's partners met to hear the first results and discuss the future of the fellowship.
"The fellowship is only the beginning," says Heinemann. "If we continue to scale this approach, we can transform far more scientific knowledge into innovations, companies and societal impact over the coming decades. That represents a tremendous opportunity for Groningen and the Northern Netherlands."
