About
Mission
In the 21st century, the financial space for independent research has significantly shrunk. Particularly suffering serious cuts, social sciences and the humanities are among the disciplines whose future is most under threat – gender studies being a specifically targeted field of study. Moreover, changes in the financing and management of universities and research institutions have led to a decrease of funding for independent research and to increased competition over research resources. Even though researchers spend months of their (often unpaid) time on their research proposals, it is very common now for these to have only a 5% chance of success.
Organisation & Board
The Foundation is based in the Netherlands. Its Executive Board is composed of three people. Since 2020 the board consists of prof. dr. Mieke Verloo (Chair of the Board), prof. dr. Petra Meier, and Jacqueline van de Pol. In year three, two more board members will be selected to join the Board.
In the future, the Board will set up additional organizational structures such as a Board of Trustees, a nomination and selection committee, accountability measures, and memoranda of understanding with collaborators.
Annual reports
Collaborations
Design
Original design has been created by Bertine Colsen. For 5 years after creating the initial logo of Flax Foundation, she was responsible for the visual identity of the foundation including the creation of the awards. In 2025 we met up with Nel Lap (Studio NelNel) to upgrade our design – both online as well as offline.
“I feel honored to partner up with Flax as I think this foundation is such an important force not only for accelerating innovative research, but also for the countless important informal connections between people in Europe that research, study, teach and resist.” – Nel Lap.