Start-up grant
Purpose
Universities or departments wishing to launch a new and long-term initiative may be considered for a start-up grant.
By allocating start-up grants the Language Union aims:
- to set up a new department of Dutch;
- to expand the existing curriculum;
- to consolidate the existing course (for example, by turning a minor subject into a major subject or by establishing an MA course).
Criteria
A start-up grant will be allocated to help finance a new and long-term facility. In the case of an expansion and/or consolidation of an existing department, the head of the department of Dutch is responsible for setting up and managing this facility. In the case of entirely new initiatives, specific agreements will be made with the institution on the subject of responsibility.
The start-up grant is of a temporary nature (up to a maximum of 4 years).
Conditions
For a start-up grant to be awarded, a project description should be provided including a (multi-year) budget, on the basis of which the importance and viability of the facility can be assessed by the Language Union. The intended financing of the facility during the start-up period and the period thereafter must be evident from this project description, with which the university commits itself to certain intentions for the future. In this connection, the university must commit itself to maintaining the facility that was set up with the aid of the start-up grant for a period equal to that covered by the grant. In other words: if a grant has been allocated for a period of four years, the university is committed to continue the achieved results for at least another four years after the initial four years of the set-up period (a total of eight years).
Any other conditions for the allocation of a start-up grant will be discussed in advance with the parties concerned.
Upon acceptance of the grant the university signifies its agreement with the conditions. If the university fails to comply with the agreed arrangements, the Language Union reserves the right to reclaim the entire grant amount.
Procedure
As soon as a department of Dutch or university indicates that it wishes to set up a new facility with the support of the Language Union, the university or department will be invited to draw up an itemised description, including a detailed budget. If required, the Language Union can provide assistance with this. In consultation, a customised plan can be drawn up, taking local wishes, needs and possibilities into account.
On the basis of the project description, which includes a (multi-year) budget, the Language Union assesses the application for a grant. On the basis of this assessment, the level and duration of the grant will be determined. The Language Union will inform the department of Dutch or the university of this decision in writing.
Financial accountability and substantive reporting
The Language Union must receive a financial statement of the start-up grant at the end of the period for which the agreements were made. This financial statement does not have to be accompanied by all financial records. However, these documents should be stored for a period of five years by the department of Dutch to enable the Language Union to check the financial statement through random sampling.
In addition to this financial statement, a substantive report is required clearly showing how the results relate to the agreements and conditions based upon which the start-up grant was allocated.
Wegwijzer – Colofon – Contact – Vrijwaring – Opmerkingen en reacties
