Thesis / PhD Prize 2025

The KCGH Thesis/PhD Prize Returns in 2025!

The KCGH Thesis/PhD Prize Returns in 2025!

In 2025, the Knowledge Centre Global Health (KCGH) again shines a spotlight on young researchers with the annual Thesis/PhD Prize. This initiative underscores our mission to stimulate innovative research in global health. Through this award, we encourage pioneers whose fresh ideas transform global healthcare.

The Importance of Our Prize: At KCGH, we recognise that breakthroughs in global health begin with bold and groundbreaking research. These awards contribute to a foundation for innovations that are essential for health worldwide. We support researchers whose work offers practical solutions and advances healthcare both locally and globally.

Participate in the 2025 Competition: Have you written a thesis or dissertation on global health? Are you a graduate from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, or Sint Eustatius? Submit your work by October 1st, 2025 to ofni.[antispam].@kcgh.nl. Our panel of experts, including a specialist from the Expertise Group Global Child Health, will assess submissions for innovation, relevance, and impact.

Key Dates in 2025:

Submission Deadline: October 1st, 2025
Review Period: October and November 2025
Awards Ceremony: Winners will be honored at the KCGH Symposium on November 27th, 2025.

About KCGH: KCGH enhances the exchange of knowledge and connects professionals in healthcare and global health. The centre is an initiative of the NVTG and OIGT, supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS).

For more details or to participate, visit our website at www.kcgh.nl or contact us at ofni.[antispam].@kcgh.nl.

Which prizes do we award?

To celebrate and promote the exceptional work of young scholars, KCGH awards the following prizes:

€500 for two recent graduates (bachelor’s or master’s students) who have written an innovative and impactful thesis on a global health topic.
€500 for a recent HBO graduate who has written an impactful thesis on a global health topic.
€1000 for a recent PhD graduate who has made a significant contribution to new insights in global health, to be used for further professional development. This could include continuing the work from their dissertation, attending training sessions, consulting experts, or supporting activities to obtain project funding.
€500 for the best bachelor’s or master’s thesis focused on a topic within Global Child Health, in collaboration with the Expertisegroep Global Child Health.

Edition 2024

In 2024, we received an incredible 36 submissions of exceptionally high quality, showcasing the diverse and impactful research being conducted in global health. After a thorough review by our expert jury, we are proud to present the winners of the 2024 KCGH Thesis/PhD Prize:

Bachelor Thesis Winner: Lara Schmale-Hüsemann

Title: Health Equity Analysis of the Africa CDC Strategy on Non-Communicable Diseases
Lara's research takes a critical look at how health equity is embedded within the Africa CDC's straregy on non-communicable diseases. Her analysis reveals that, while equity is a core objective, it is not consistently reflected in the strategy's approach. Drawing on principles of critical reflexivity, humility and agency, she highlights the role of power dynamics in shaping healthcare access and policy outcomes, offering essential insights for global health governance.

Master Thesis Winner: Robert Dasović

Title: Unheard Voices: Navigating through life histories of fragmented care for homeless people in Rotterdam
Robert's research sheds light on the lived experiences of homeless individuals in Rotterdam. By using Life History Interviewing and Life Mapping, he explores how trauma, exclusion and systemic neglect contribute to homelessness. His work emphasizes the need for trauma-informed, person-centred care and challenges healthcare systems to recognize and act on the voices and experiences of marginalized groups.

PhD Dissertation Winner: Tom Jacobs (Category: Global Child Health)

Title: Accelerating access to optimal anti-infective treatment for children living with HIV
Awarded in collaboration with the Expertisegroep Global Child Health
Tom's dissertation addresses the challenge of ensuring accessible, child-friendly HIV treatments for children living in low-resource settings. In collaboration with teams from Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, he explores ways to overcome the barriers to optimal anti-infective treatment. By emphasizing the role of clinical pharmacology as a key driver for improved access, his work provides practical solutions to one of the most pressing issues in global child health.

PhD Dissertation Winner: Lennart Maljaars

Title: Surgical Care and Innovation for Vesicovaginal Fistula
Lennart's research addresses the treatment of vesicovaginal fistulas, a stigmatised health issue affecting women in vulnerable settings. His dissertation focuses on improving conventional surgical methods and introducing innovative approaches to enhance treatment options. By highlighting the importance of technical advancements and social awareness, his work aims to improve care and reduce the stigma faced by affected women.

Special thanks

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated jury members for their time, expertise, and thoughtful deliberation in selecting this year's winners:

Jaco J. Verweij
Koos van der Velden
Lekha Rathod
Perijne Vellekoop

These winners represent the future of global health research, each contributing to crucial topics that impact health equity, vulnerable populations, and the accessibility of life-saving treatments. We thank all 36 participants for their submissions and look forward to seeing how their work continues to drive progress in global health.