Anonymous contributor gives University of Groningen 35 million

Anonymous contributor gives University of Groningen 35 million

The University of Groningen received an amount of 35 million euros from a former student. It is the largest donation in the history of this university.

Of the donation, 30 million euros will go to CogniGron, Groningen’s research into materials for the computers of the future. The institute has been in business for two years and would have liked to change its name to that of the sponsor – but he or she wants to remain anonymous.

The Groningen alumnus will probably donate even more, announces the university, but the future amounts are not yet known. 

 

Endowment

A Groningen fund for donors (the Ubbo Emmius Fund) takes on the management of the millions. The money is paid into an endowment fund, the return on which is paid out annually. “In this way, the RUG is assured of a substantial extra flow of money for years in favour of scientific research and PhD positions,” says the press release.

Private donations play a greater role than before in the financing of scientific research. For some years now, universities have been doing their best to persuade benefactors. The funds can mount up considerably. (HOP)