Parel (Pearl Award)
What is a ZonMw Parel?
The ZonMw Parel (Pearl Award) is awarded to exceptionally good projects funded by ZonMw. Such projects provide a good example of what we would like to see in other projects, and of what ZonMw stands for. They feature:
- a useful and outstanding result
- successful collaboration between all relevant parties
- scientific and/or social impact.
Eligibility for a ZonMw Parel
The ZonMw Parel award is for ZonMw-funded projects whose results are already known. They should preferably have already been completed. A Parel can only be awarded to a project, not to an individual, team, foundation, consortium or organisation.
What do Parel projects receive?
The Parel award focuses extra attention on a project and its results. The award does not include any prize money. It consists of a Parel figure and a video about the project, made in collaboration with the project leader. The video and the extra communications on the award create extra publicity for the project.
How does a project become a Parel project?
Staff at ZonMw can nominate projects for a ZonMw Parel. A Parel Committee has been set up to ensure that the winning projects are selected in a uniform way, and to guarantee that the process is transparent. The committee, which represents a cross-section of the organisation, selects 6 Parels each year.
List of Parel projects
Pearl for groundbreaking research into microplastics in the placenta
There are growing signs that microplastics and nanoplastics...