Announcement: NL-NMD Thesis Awards 2025

The Netherlands Neuromuscular Center (NL-NMD; Spierziekten Centrum Nederland) and its young talent program, MYOS, are delighted to announce the fifth edition of the NL-NMD Thesis Awards. Building on the success of the past four years, these awards aim to celebrate and promote outstanding contributions by young researchers in the field of neuromuscular diseases in the Netherlands.

Purpose of the Awards

The NL-NMD Thesis Awards recognize exceptional doctoral dissertations that advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, or care of neuromuscular diseases. By highlighting the work of emerging talent, we aim to foster innovation and inspire continued excellence in the Dutch neuromuscular research community.

Award Categories

Awards will be presented in two categories:

1. Best Pre-Clinical Thesis: For dissertations focusing on fundamental or experimental research in neuromuscular diseases.
2. Best Clinical Thesis: For dissertations emphasizing clinical research, patient care, or translational applications in neuromuscular diseases.

Each winner will receive a certificate and a cash prize of €500. A minimum of three submissions per category is required for the awards to be granted. If this threshold is not met, submissions will be carried over to the following year for evaluation alongside new entries.

Eligibility Criteria

• The dissertation must have been defended in 2025 at a recognized Dutch academic institution.
• The topic must directly relate to neuromuscular diseases (e.g., pathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment, or patient care).
• Applicants may choose to compete in either the pre-clinical or clinical category, regardless of their dissertation’s specific focus.
• Dissertations may be written in Dutch or English.

Submission Requirements

Applications must include the following:

1. A PDF version of the dissertation.
2. An application letter (max. 300 words, in English) summarizing the major conclusions, scientific impact, and societal relevance of the work.
3. A PhD portfolio (max. two A4 pages) detailing project-related activities, such as publications, presentations, or other contributions.
4. A letter of recommendation (max. 300 words) from a supervisor, colleague, or other relevant individual.
5. A clear indication of the chosen category (pre-clinical or clinical) and the word counts of both the application and recommendation letters.

Submissions should be sent via email to info@spierziektencentrum.nl with the subject line: “NL-NMD Thesis Awards 2025 Application.”

Important notes:

• All documents should be contained in one compressed (.zip) file and submitted through a filesharing service.
• Incomplete submissions (e.g. lacking the application letter or letter of recommendation) will not be considered as valid submissions.
• Letters exceeding the specified maximum word count of 300 maximum will be considered invalid.

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025.

Evaluation Process

The NL-NMD Thesis Award Committee will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Scientific Impact: Originality and contribution to the field of neuromuscular diseases.
• Societal Impact: Relevance to patients, healthcare, or society.
• Patient Participation: Involvement of patients in the research process, where applicable.
• International Esteem: Recognition or potential influence within the global research community.

Award Ceremony

The winners will be announced and honored during the annual NL-NMD Symposium on Neuromuscular Diseases, held on January 8–9, 2026. All applicants are encouraged to attend.

How to Apply

Please submit your complete application package to info@spierziektencentrum.nl by the deadline. We encourage you to share this announcement with potential candidates who have defended their dissertation in 2025.

For further information or inquiries, please contact info@spierziektencentrum.nl or visit www.spierziektencentrum.nl.

We look forward to receiving your applications and celebrating the exceptional work of young researchers in the neuromuscular field!