Smaaklessen by Fieke Franken & team

The multidisciplinary team behind Smaaklessen, EU-Schoolfruit and EU-Schoolzuivel translates scientific knowledge into practical programmes that encourage healthy and sustainable eating habits among young people. The team supports governments, businesses and NGOs in developing and evaluating effective strategies for nutritious and sustainable choices. Through Smaaklessen, children learn to make conscious food choices by tasting, smelling, touching and discovering. By combining research, education and practice, the team has developed an effective, evidence-based programme that now reaches 6,115 primary school locations in the Netherlands (87%). Both Smaaklessen and the EU School programmes are developed and implemented in close cooperation with a wide range of partners.

The other nominees are:

  • AlgaePARC - Maria Barbosa, Rene Wijffels & team
  • Water lentils - Ingrid van der Meer, Jurriaan Mes & team
  • Extreme Wildfire event datahub project - Chiel van Heerwaarden & team - Meteorology and Air Quality
  • Project HighLO - Joost Pennings, Marjolein Verhulst & team

About the WUR Impact Award

Creating meaningful impact is at the heart of everything Wageningen University & Research (WUR) does. Through research, education and innovation, we contribute to solutions to global challenges. To make that impact visible and recognise it, the WUR Impact Award was established. The award underscores the importance of impact as a core component of WUR's mission and encourages researchers, students and partners to further increase their contribution to societal change.

Award ceremony

The WUR Impact Award 2026 will be presented during the Wageningen Summervibes Festival on 18 June at Wageningen Campus. The ceremony will be moderated by WUR alumnus and comedian Rob Urgert. The award will be officially presented by jury chair and Wageningen Ambassador Marcel Schuttelaar, together with Peter Ploegsma, member of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research.

In 2026, the WUR Impact Award will be presented for the fourth time. Previous winners include Food Waste United, NL2120 and the Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge.

You can vote for one of the nominees for the WUR Impact Award 2026 here.