The Children’s Rights Research Fund is connected to Maastricht University and the University Fund Limburg (SWOL). It aims at supporting research and education projects in the field of children’s rights by staff and students from Maastricht University, with an option to cooperate with third parties. The Fund will make grants available twice a year.

Applications by Maastricht University staff and students can be submitted for

• A research project with a maximum of € 5.000,-.
• An education project with a maximum of € 2.500,-.

Projects may take place in the Netherlands or in other countries. Collaborations with people or organizations are welcome. However, applications should involve at least one Maastricht University student or staff member. To stimulate collaboration between researchers and children’s rights organizations/professionals, we offer matchmaking.

Funding criteria

The application (max. 3 pages A-4) must describe the goal(s) of the project, the timeline, the way in which it will be implemented and its intended outcome(s). In addition,

• At least one of the goals of the project should aim at improving the living situation of children;
• The involvement and participation of children is a requirement for research project proposals Projects without any involvement. of children will not be eligible for funding;
• Education project proposals should have a strong emphasis on stimulating children to think and act creatively, critically and with a problem-solving orientation. Applications aimed at passive learning will not be eligible for funding;
• Both education and research project proposals must indicate which third party will be involved in the project, if any;
• For research projects, a short explanation of the methodology must be provided;
• An estimate of costs and revenues must be attached.

Students who intend to submit an application may be assisted by Dr. Marieke Hopman by means of a coaching interview (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Please note that, for research projects, it may be necessary to ask for approval from the Ethics Committee of Maastricht University before the project can start.

Recipients of a grant must report at least once about the project via the website (www.childrensrightresearch.com). They should also mention the funding received in (all) their relevant publication(s) or other activities related to the project.

An Advisory Committee will review the applications and draft a nomination for funding to the Board of the Fund.

There will be two calls every year

Upcoming deadline: 1 March 2023.
Next deadline: 1 November 2023.

Applications should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You will find more information on the Children’s Rights Research Fund on this website.

The Children’s Rights Research Fund is making a grant available for research and/or education projects that intend to improve the living situation for children anywhere in the world, and that involve children themselves. Any application needs to involve at least one UM student and/or staff member (see the call for more info). To facilitate collaboration, please find below an overview of child rights professionals, UM students and UM staff who are interested in possibly applying for this grant. Feel free to get in touch!

Please note this is a living document. All organisations, students and/or staff who want to will be added on this list. There is no selection process, and no check for quality. If you would like to be listed below, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Third-Parties (non UM)

Peter Akera, MA Human Rights (Children’s Rights) student researcher, Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. 

Topic: The role of State and NGOs in fulfilment of Children's Rights; a case study of Gulu city, Northern Uganda. 

Tasks: Researching the role of the State (Uganda) in relation to fulfilment of Children's Rights. Research period: January 2023 to December 2023. 

Requirements: Applicants must, at least, be in their final year of studying for a Bachelors in law, human rights or social sciences. Additionally, they should have experience in conducting research and knowledge of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and other relevant legal instruments.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Karla Morales, PhD Candidate at University of Potsdam (researching adolescent critical consciousness), M.A. Childhood Studies and Children's Rights.

Topic: The relationship of critical consciousness and participation in non-formal education activities--how does participation in non-formal education activities (e.g. youth, community, sports, music clubs, etc.) foster critical consciousness?

Tasks: Assist with study conceptualisation, data collection (surveys and/or interviews), and data analysis.

Requirements: Researchers who have had experience or are interested in participatory research methods, children's right to participation, children's sociopolitical development, empowerment, and non-formal education.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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UM Students

• Coming soon...

UM Staff

Dr. Özlemnur Ataol, Post-doctoral Researcher, Maastricht University

Topic #1: Children’s Right to the City

Tasks: Applying a supra-national policy review of children’s rights via examination of UDHR, UNDRC, UNCRC, UNICEF, UNSSC, WDSPDC, and so on in relation to Lefebvre’s notion of Right to the City and exploration of how this right emerges (or not) in European cities.

Requirements: Researchers from social and urban science who are interested in children’s rights in general and specifically children’s right to the city

Topic #2: Education for Circular Development

Tasks: Applying a literature review to explore circular action in education for sustainable education and interviewing educational experts, who teach circularity in their field/subject, in secondary and higher education to be able to contribute to the field of education for circular development.

Requirements: MA students or Ph.D. candidates from social sciences interested in Sustainable Development Goals, children’s right to education, circular economy, and circular cities.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.