Winners of the Fontys for Society Awards 2026

The ‘Early warning scan’ and ‘Crossing oceans, chasing dreams’ projects were presented with a Fontys for Society Award on Thursday 10 September during the Fontys for Society Event. This award is presented during the opening of the new academic year at Fontys University of Applied Sciences to teaching and research projects that contribute to solving societal issues.

In his opening address, Chairman of the Board Joep Houterman stated that Fontys’ strength lies in the collaboration between students, lecturers, researchers, other educational institutions and social partners. According to him, the greatest social added value arises where education, research and professional practice converge. The Fontys for Society Award puts precisely that ambition into practice by recognising projects that contribute to social progress.

Opening ceremony
The key to collaboration was also reflected in the opening ceremony. Under the theme ‘We must do it together’, the event was officially opened by six representatives from various sectors of society and Fontys: Martijn van Gruijthuijsen (Member of the Provincial Executive of North Brabant), Ron Coenen (chair of the Limburg Employers’ Association), student Fatima Fayet, lecturer and researcher Floortje Koot, facilities officer Roland van Osch and chair of the board Joep Houterman. Each of them highlighted the importance of connection from their own role and perspective. The joint opening ceremony symbolised that societal challenges can only be tackled by working together and combining knowledge, experience and commitment.

Projects
The Fontys for Society Event is an annual event organised by Fontys University of Applied Sciences that brings together students and staff to inspire one another and contribute to addressing societal issues. During the well-attended event at the Fontys Rachelsmolen campus in Eindhoven, the fourteen most prominent projects, research initiatives and innovations from the past academic year were showcased. The expert jury and the public set out to find the most compelling and socially relevant project. The winning projects each received a cash prize of €2,500 to further realise their education-related social goals.

Expert Jury Prize for Early Warning Scan
‘Early Warning Scan’ walked away with the Expert Jury Prize. Early Warning Scan is investigating a new, less painful screening method for the early detection of breast cancer. By analysing subtle movements in breast tissue, the project explores how abnormalities can be detected at an earlier stage. Using technologies such as artificial intelligence and image analysis, the team is working on accessible and innovative forms of screening. Fontys Applied Mathematics is collaborating on this project with Yvia, TMC, Catharina Hospital and Sioux.

The expert jury consisted of Ron Coenen (chair of the Limburg Employers’ Association), Erik de Vries (director of Brainport voor Elkaar) and Nina van den Broek and Basten van der Vorm (chair and former chair of EduQuation). The jury members looked back on an inspiring exhibition. Erik de Vries: ‘This proves once again that the Netherlands is stronger with graduates from universities of applied sciences. What we saw today demonstrates just how valuable it is when education, research and the professional field come together. We found the Early Warning Scan particularly noteworthy because this research project links the less visible field of mathematics to a practical solution with a significant impact.’

Audience Award for ‘Crossing oceans, chasing dreams’
During the event, voting also opened to the public. Visitors could cast their votes via the special event app. The documentary ‘Crossing oceans, chasing dreams’ by Fontys Journalism was voted the audience favourite. This documentary highlights the challenges faced by students from other parts of the Kingdom when they come to study in the Netherlands. The film offers an honest and poignant insight into their experiences and the obstacles they face. The stories from the documentary have since prompted discussions with educational organisations to better align policies and processes with the needs of these students.

For Society 2030
The Fontys for Society Award demonstrates how education can contribute to social progress. Joep Houterman: “The universities of applied sciences have recently launched a campaign with the slogan ‘The Netherlands is stronger with graduates from universities of applied sciences’. I also believe that North Brabant and Limburg are stronger with Fontys. Thanks to higher professional education graduates who think and act, take responsibility and actively contribute to solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Fontys is a community of students, lecturers, researchers, alumni and industry partners who learn, innovate and bring about social progress together. It is no coincidence that collaboration is one of the central commitments in our For Society 2030 strategy. The greatest impact arises where different worlds meet: education, research, business and government”.

This idea also forms the basis of the Fontys for Society Awards, which recognise projects that, through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, make a tangible contribution to a better society. Curious about all the entries? Take a look at them here.