Candidates for the Catharina Pijls Dissertation Prize are nominated by professors from all Dutch faculties of medicine and social sciences. The nominations are assessed on their multidisciplinary character, scholarly quality, level of innovation and societal relevance, as well as the candidate's contributions beyond the dissertation itself. The prize, worth 10,000 euros, is awarded every two years.

'Meester's dissertation touches on several highly relevant questions, such as: what is the expected effect of screening at the population level? Are faecal samples a more effective screening method than internal examinations? What is the long-term effect of participating in observational screening? What is the effect on the quality of internal exams? And what is the best way to treat patients with benign polyps? Data from two practical studies were used in a computer simulation model to estimate the long-term effects of screening participation and quality – the deciding factors for a well-functioning programme,' according to the nomination.

Encouragement Award
In addition to the Dissertation Prize, the Catharina Pijls Foundation presents an annual Encouragement Award (valued at 2,000 euros) to a recent graduate from the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. This year's Encouragement Award went to Jade Stultjens (alumna from the Mental Health master’s programme, Child & Adolescent Track) for her outstanding dissertation entitled ‘Identifying the group dynamics of bullying using a social network perspective. An explorative research on the practical relevance of using a non-anonymous questionnaire about bullying among primary school children’.