SOCION is very proud to announce that, Frank van Tubergen, head of the Migration and Migrants Department at NIDI-KNAW and professor at the sociology departments of the University of Groningen and Utrecht University, has been awarded a €3.5 million ERC Advanced Grant for his project “Co-Alpha: Growing Up Diverse-Cohesion Among Immigrant and Native Youth in Generation Alpha”
This five-year project will explore how social cohesion develops among youth with and without an immigrant background in diverse societies. His research will examine relationships within and between a wide range of social groups, as well as different aspects of social cohesion, such as friendship, trust, loneliness, and experiences of discrimination. It will collect data over time from around 5,000 adolescents in the Netherlands.
Frank’s work is more relevant than ever as Europe navigates the complexities of migration and integration. His project aims to provide actionable insights into fostering inclusivity and understanding among young people, while shaping policies for a more socially cohesive future.
The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Europe’s most prestigious funding opportunities, supporting high-risk, high-reward research. Van Tubergen’s achievement highlights his key role in addressing pressing societal issues through innovative research.
We congratulate Frank and his team on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the impactful contributions his project will make to the field of sociology and beyond!
To read more about Frank’s research and the ERC Advanced Grant: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/erc-2025-advanced-grants-results