KNCV Golden Spatula

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The KNCV office invites all KNCV members, and in particular directors of universities of applied sciences that award the eligible higher professional education degrees, to submit what they consider to be the best graduation reports. Only reports on experimental work are eligible for the Golden Spatula award. Reports on literature research are explicitly excluded. Candidates are nominated by their university of applied sciences. Each university of applied sciences may submit a maximum of three nominations. The nomination must be accompanied by

• the candidate's CV;
• two copies of the report.

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For a proper assessment, the recommendation must explain why the candidate in question is so exceptional that he/she is eligible for the award.

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Criteria that may be considered are:
Research

• Understanding of the problem: the extent to which the candidate has demonstrated a good understanding of the problems of the subject he/she has addressed.
• Originality and quality of the research: the innovativeness of the research with regard to the scientific question, the methods used, and the approach.
• Reporting: the manner in which the research is described in the report, namely logical structure, clear problem definition, unambiguous description of the methods, clear conclusions and discussions for follow-up research, general clarity and completeness of the report.
• Use of literature: the extent to which the research is placed within existing knowledge/literature, the clarity of the research question, and the added value of the research for the field.

Candidate

• Knowledge and skills: the candidate's overview/insight into the field: problem analysis, insight and ability to prioritize and orientate towards other (related) fields; technical skills (broad, deep) and quality of the experimental work.
• Independence: the candidate's independence with regard to the implementation of the project and the experiments; own contribution to the research and reporting.

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The Selection Committee reaches its decision through a transparent and balanced process.

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Each report is read by two members of the Selection Committee. All members of the Selection Committee read the summary, content, and conclusions of all reports and rank the candidates. After discussing the candidates, revising the ranking, and making a selection during a committee meeting, the committee nominates the winner of the Golden Spatula and, if applicable, the winners of the second prizes.

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The Selection Committee may be assisted in its work by a number of experts working in the Netherlands. These experts will provide their advice in writing.

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The Selection Committee submits its advice in writing to the KNCV board. The material on which this advice is based must be enclosed with this advice. A brief assessment is given of the three best candidates and, based on the above criteria, an indication is given as to why the nominated candidate deserves preference over the other candidates.

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The Selection Committee shall issue its recommendation based on a majority vote.

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The KNCV Board shall adopt the Committee's recommendation unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. In that case, the KNCV Board shall clearly indicate why it is deviating from the recommendation. In the event of rejection, the prize shall not be awarded.

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The Selection Committee will draw up a statement of reasons, which must be approved by the KNCV board at least one month before the Golden Spatula is awarded.

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The prize will be awarded in person. Only in very exceptional circumstances, such as illness, may the prize be accepted by someone else.

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The winner will be announced and the statement published in C2W and on the KNCV website. Those who nominated candidates will be notified of the result in writing.

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In all cases not covered by these regulations, the KNCV board will decide.