Radboud University and its partners are set to strengthen inclusive citizen science efforts in the southern region of the Netherlands. Under the banner De BRUG – Diversity in Citizen Science: Regional Exchange, the university and its collaborators have received a €400,000 grant from Open Science NL to establish and further develop a regional citizen science hub.
De BRUG is a partnership between Radboud University, Radboud university medical center, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht UMC+, the Open University of the Netherlands, and various societal partners. The hub aims to make citizen science—research in which members of the public actively collaborate with academic researchers—more accessible, inclusive, and effective.
Focus on diversity and regional collaboration
While traditional citizen science projects often engage a relatively narrow segment of the population, De BRUG seeks to involve individuals who are currently underrepresented in such initiatives. The hub develops and shares knowledge and strategies to promote broad participation across different communities. Cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration are central to its approach.
With a strong focus on the southern Netherlands, De BRUG addresses locally relevant topics such as nature and the environment, health, well-being, and cultural heritage. By showcasing good practices and connecting organisations, the hub fosters mutual understanding, shared knowledge, and broader societal impact.
Other hubs
Open Science NL has awarded five grants of €400,000 each to support the expansion of citizen science hubs at research institutions. All hubs represent collaborations between multiple research organisations and their societal partners. More information about the other hubs is available on the Open Science NL website.