Apply now: Family Business Thesis Award
Family businesses are the most common form of business in the world, and the family is the driving force behind them. Yet we notice that it is precisely this family factor that receives little attention in research into or in family businesses. This award encourages students to develop and share relevant knowledge and insights about family businesses.
The Family Business Thesis Award is a thesis award for the best bachelor's and master's theses from a university (of applied sciences) in the field of family businesses. Winners receive:
- Bachelor's Award € 1,500
- Master's Award € 1,500
Powered by Windesheim'sExpertisecentrum Familiebedrijven(opens in new tab).
Who can participate?
- Anyone who has written a Dutch or English thesis about family businesses or a family business in which attention has been paid to the family factor;
- The thesis was graded with at least an A or B+ (7,5/75% or higher);
- Theses from all educational backgrounds and perspectives are welcome.
Important dates
- Deadline: Monday, 1 September 2025
- Assessment period: Theses must be assessed between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025.
How to participate
To have a chance to win the award and the cash prize and share your research results with our network of family businesses, you must send the following information to familybusinessthesis@windesheim.nl(opens in new tab):
- Complete thesis (including title, table of contents, bibliography and sources list and appendices)
- Summary of your thesis (maximum 2 A4).
The following should be included in the summary:
- research question
- relevance of the research
- recommendations and/or results
A pre-selection will be made based on this summary. - Name and email address of the first supervisor
- CV
- Signed participation agreement (pdf)
Selection process
Based on the submitted summary of your thesis, a pre-selection will be made by members of The Centre of Expertise in Family Businesses at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences. We can contact your thesis supervisors for a proper assessment. The five best theses are then presented to a jury consisting of an entrepreneur, a lecturer or professor, and a business advisor. They will assess the theses on:
- Social and practical value
- Theoretical foundation
- Well-written and structured report
- Originality
Award ceremony
The winners will be announced during a special event in November 2025. Nominees will receive an invitation for this. If you have been invited for this, you can receive a travel reimbursement based on a declaration (maximum €50,- for national students and €250,- for international students).
We require a minimum number of submitted theses to make a proper assessment. So, challenge your fellow students to submit their theses as well.
Questions?
Mail us via familybusinessthesis@windesheim.nl(opens in new tab).