SIMMR Open Call (2nd Edition)- Funding for Student-led Research | Deadline October 6, 2025
Following the first successful round of SIMMR, we are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the second edition of the program. SIMMR is a funding initiative for Leiden University students interested in multimodal, audiovisual, and artistic research methods.
Since its launch in 2022, ReCNTR has tapped into a growing interest in multimodal scholarship in the arts, humanities and social sciences both within and beyond Leiden University by initiating several events, collaborations and projects. These activities, in turn, played a crucial role in strengthening the foundations of our ongoing mission: to carve out a space where established and emerging academics interested in practice-based research, as well as artists/makers interested in social science and humanities scholarship, can come together to – exchange ideas, experiment, and diversify their research methods; and explore possibilities of doing scientific work beyond epistemic conventions.
The centre’s latest initiative SIMMR, expands the scope of this mission to include young and aspiring scholars at Leiden University. It offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students funding for organizing events and activities (workshops, lectures, screenings, etc) with a special focus on multimodal, audiovisual and artistic research methods. Through bi-annual open calls, SIMMR will provide financial and structural support to students’ proposals to invite who they deem to be key figures in the realm of artistic and multimodal research.
The second round of applications are now open, with the deadline being October 6th, 2025. At least two proposals will be awarded up to EUR 500 each.
Who is it for and why?
We highly encourage students from all fields to apply. We see SIMMR not simply as a funding scheme, but also as a research-based community for students to freely explore through collaborative frameworks what multimodality can do for their own academic work. We also view this as an opportunity to mentor students on event programming while offering guidance on critical curatorial issues and inculcating important yet oft-overlooked skills in navigating academic life: organizing events, drafting proposals, and writing grants (among others). With the launch of this student-driven initiative, ReCNTR hopes to mobilize the growing interest in multimodal scholarship at Leiden University and build a network of emerging researchers in an ever-changing academic landscape.
If this sounds exciting, please consider applying!
