To do:

PhD candidates invest a great deal of time and effort not only in the content of their thesis, but also in the design of the book. For several years now, the Amsterdam UMC Doctoral School has annually awarded jury prizes to three dissertations with the most outstanding cover and layout, designed by the PhD candidate themselves and defended at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Amsterdam or VU University Amsterdam.

This year, for the first time, an audience award will be introduced, alongside a single jury prize.

PhD candidates can submit their thesis for nomination at any time. To be eligible for an award, the cover and layout must demonstrate artistic quality, relevance, and originality.

*If you wish to compete for the PhD Thesis Design 2026 awards, please send your thesis to the Doctoral School no later than 1 November 2026. If this is not feasible, for example because you are graduating in December, send an email to the Doctoral School.

Requirements, selection

Requirements

  • You defend(ed) your thesis at the Faculty of Medicine of University of Amsterdam or VU University Amsterdam in the year 2026.
  • Your thesis design (cover, internal layout and appendices) must be a reflection of own creative work (e.g. a self-designed cover, photos, drawings, videos via QR, etc).
  • The design strengthens and clarifies the content of the thesis.
  • Theses that are created by PhD design agencies are not eligible.

Selection

Regarding the jury award:

A jury of experienced Amsterdam UMC scientists and art experts will independently review all submissions and evaluate the artistic quality, relevance, and originality of the thesis design.

  • The committee members will meet in November.
  • All participants will receive an email afterwards.

Regarding the audience award:

In November (exact dates still to be determined), the audience can vote for the best thesis designs via the Amsterdam UMC intranet. Everyone can cast a maximum of 3 votes.

  • After the closing date, the doctoral school will tally the results to determine the winner of the audience award.
  • All participants will receive an email afterwards.

Winners:

The winners of both the Jury Award and the Audience Award will be announced and will be awarded with a special present, related to (an Amsterdam UMC work of) art.

They will be invited to compose a short video (1–2 minutes) explaining the creative aspects of their thesis. The video will be posted on the Doctoral School website and shared via social media (in consultation with the winners).

Necessary documents:

  • Thesis (two extra hardcopies)

  • Link to the digital thesis

  • PhD candidate's substantiating letter (see below)
  • QR-code to the online thesis
These are the rules for applying for the Thesis Design Award

  • Together with your final thesis (but also at a later time is allowed - however, no later than the deadline) submit two extra hardcopies of your PhD thesis to the Doctoral School (Meibergdreef 9, E2-172, 1105 AZ Amsterdam Zuidoost), send a pdf file and a

    QR code to the digital thesis as well, to the Doctoral School.

  • Include a letter (in English) in which you explain the artistic quality of the cover and layout of your dissertation and write a substantiation to the relevance and originality of the design, in max. 200 words.

Note: Also check the for you applicable webpage 'submitting the final version of the thesis' if you are an AMC/UvA or a VUmc/VU PhD candidate.

Note: If the Doctoral School did not receive two extra hardcopies of your thesis or the QR code, it is not possible to apply for this award.

Note: After submitting your digital PhD thesis, you will receive a confirmation of receipt from the Doctoral School within two weeks. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact us!

Note: If you would like your theses returned afterwards, please include an appropriate self-addressed envelope.

Tips:

Did you apply for the Amsterdam UMC PhD Thesis Design Award?

  • All candidates will receive notification by e-mail from the Doctoral School.
  • The two winners will receive further instructions about preparing a 1-2 minutes video, and to send it to the Doctoral School.

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