VUB, together with Theater aan Zee (TAZ) and deAuteurs, is launching a renewed edition of the Caroline Pauwels Grant for Wonder. This development grant, worth €20,000, supports collaborations between performing artists and scientists who share one common driving force: wonder.
With this grant, the partners continue the intellectual legacy of the late VUB rector Caroline Pauwels (1964–2022). Her plea for curiosity, slow thinking and crossing disciplinary boundaries runs like a red thread through this new call.
“Caroline Pauwels truly believed in the power of wonder. For her, creativity was impossible without curiosity. With this grant, we encourage artists and scientists to forge new connections between art and science.” — Jan Danckaert, Rector VUB
This year, the Caroline Pauwels Grant comes with a clearly renewed format. The budget increases to €20,000, and the focus shifts even more strongly towards development, research and genuine collaboration between artist and scientist. No quick output, but room to explore. No predefined end point, but a trajectory in which ideas are allowed to clash, shift and grow.
The timing also changes. Whereas previous editions allowed six months, laureates now receive a full year to let their project mature in depth, to experiment and to deepen their collaboration.
Tailored support
In addition to the budget, the laureate receives an extensive support programme. This includes residencies at De Grote Post and KVS, dramaturgical guidance, practical and technical support from TAZ, and legal and copyright support from deAuteurs.
The premiere of the new grant project will take place during TAZ#2027. The performance Aha., by Martha Balthazar and Leon Adriaensen (laureates 2025), will be presented at TAZ#2026.
Something for you as a scientist?
The grant explicitly targets collaborations between performing artists and scientists. Wonder is not only the starting point of artistic creation, but also of scientific thinking. You do not need stage experience. What you do need is a desire to experiment, openness to other forms of knowledge, and the willingness to build something together that you would never create on your own.
Are you a researcher interested in collaborating with a performing artist? Then you can contact Goedele Nuyttens, who supports VUB scientists throughout this process.
Practical information
- Deadline for project proposals: Monday 1 June 2026
- Submission via: cpbeurs@theateraanzee.be
- Looking for a scientific partner? Contact Goedele Nuyttens before 1 April 2026
- Pitch & selection: 8 August 2026 during TAZ#2026 (De Grote Post)
- Announcement of the winner: closing night of TAZ#2026
- Presentation by the laureate: TAZ#2027
More information can be found on the website: Open Call - Theater Aan Zee
Caroline Pauwels Grant for Wonder
The Caroline Pauwels Grant for Wonder is an annual initiative by TAZ and deAuteurs, in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Brussel, KVS and De Grote Post. The grant keeps alive the intellectual legacy of Caroline Pauwels (1964–2022), former rector of VUB, curator of TAZ#2021 and author of Ode aan de verwondering. Her plea for slow thinking, curiosity and connections between disciplines continues to inspire makers and thinkers.
TAZ
TAZ (Theater Aan Zee) is an 11-day performing arts festival held across more than 40 locations in Ostend. The festival focuses on creating opportunities for emerging professional performing artists, while also offering a broad and accessible programme. TAZ#2026 is the 28th edition of the festival and runs from 30 July to 9 August.
deAuteurs
deAuteurs was founded in 2011 ‘by authors, for authors’ and manages copyright for creators of audiovisual works, performing arts, audio works, literature, comics and illustration. It represents more than 2,000 authors. In addition to rights management, it provides its members with legal and professional advice and support through grants.