Take Part in Lowlands Science 2026
Have you always wanted to appear at the Lowlands music festival? This is your chance. The festival’s scientific branch, Lowlands Science, is looking for researchers who want to conduct their research on site.
Why should you apply?
Have you always wanted to appear at the Lowlands music festival (this year from 21-23 August in Biddinghuizen)? This is your chance. The festival’s scientific branch, Lowlands Science, is looking for researchers who want to conduct their research on site.
What does it bring you?
In recent years, Lowlands Science has grown into one of the festival’s most popular programme components. People sometimes literally queue up to take part in the studies. It also offers you, as a researcher, a unique opportunity to showcase your work to a large general audience.
The event is co-organised by the popular science platforms Universiteit van Nederland and New Scientist. Participation therefore also helps expand your professional network in this field.
In short, it is the ideal opportunity to achieve societal impact quickly, efficiently, and visibly.
What are the requirements?
Lowlands Science is specifically looking for research projects that address socially relevant themes and can be translated into an engaging, hands-on experience for festival visitors. There are also a number of practical considerations to keep in mind, including costs. You can find all the requirements here. Applications must be submitted before 27 March 2026.
Good to know: inspiration session
Feeling inspired? On 12 March 2026, Lowlands Science, in collaboration with the National Expertise Centre for Science and Society (NEWS), is organising an inspiration session for researchers. The following topics will be discussed:
- Form and content: how do you write a strong proposal?
- Putting the visitor experience first: how do you do that?
- How do you conduct research at a festival? A discussion with experienced researchers from last year.
These colleagues went before you
Colleagues from Leiden have also participated in previous editions, such as the teams of Linda de Voogd (2025 edition) and Michiel van Elk (2023 edition). De Voogd and her colleagues built a haunted house to study how people deal with fear. Van Elk and his team used a VR headset to let visitors experience a virtual psychedelic trip.
We can help you
Would you like to know more about this event, or do you need help with your pitch or proposal? Please contact Eva Slings or Judith Zijp. Both are science communication advisers at FSW.