In the health and wellbeing at work challenge, motivated 2nd- and 3rd-year Bachelor students from Utrecht University bring actionable recommendations that can strengthen engagement, reduce stress, and improve workplace culture—helping you build a healthier, happier and more productive team. Working in small teams, students design practical, evidence-based solutions—grounded in data, academic research, and fresh perspectives. Their work is supported by expert lecturers from the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Dr Janna Besamusca & Dr Jantien van Berkel. 

Take this opportunity to explore innovative ideas without extra strain on your team. Gain valuable insights and support the development of the next generation of professionals in work, health, and wellbeing.

✅ Key features of the challenge

• Students per team: 4-6 students
• Course: Challenges in work health and well-being 
• Level: Bachelor (2nd-3rd year)
• No. of hours spent per team: 350 hours
• Deliverables: A report (in the form of slides) and a presentation.
• Company time investment: Your time involvement is 6-10 hours in total (e.g., (bi-)weekly (short) meetings, interviews, final presentation, etc.).

📑 Challenge Examples

The challenge should focus on improving employee health and wellbeing. It can address issues within your own organization or interventions you’re developing for use in other workplaces. A good challenge describes a goal or problem you want to solve—without already suggesting the solution. The clearer and more concrete the challenge, the more effective students will be in designing practical solutions.

Examples of challenges HR professionals face:

• Employees often ignore safety protocols—how do we change behavior and prevent injuries?
• Participation in wellbeing programs is low—how can we increase engagement?
• Remote work reduces connection—how do we build strong teams at a distance?
• Burnout risk is rising—how can we prevent passionate employees from overworking?
• Gen Z employees need different support—how do we motivate and retain them?
• How can we better include neurodiverse employees in the workplace?
• How can we support employees with caregiving responsibilities?
• Our workforce is diverse, but inclusion is lacking—how do we ensure everyone feels valued and heard?

These examples are meant to spark ideas. Think of the pressing challenges in your own workplace—big or small—that could benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative, evidence-based solutions.

🏢 Requirement for participating companies

• Netherlands-based companies and organizations from any industry can apply.

💰 Costs

Organizations can participate in this challenge free of charge.

📨 How to apply

You can submit the challenge directly through the website. Provide a title that summarizes the challenge. Subsequently, briefly elaborate on your challenge (max. 150 words). Click here for a template you can use.

🗓 Planning

Preparing for the challenge

• 3 November 2025: Deadline for submitting your challenge
• 5 November 2025: Challenge approval
• 10 November 2025: Student teams apply for challenges
• 12 November 2025: Companies rank the teams who applied
• 14 November 2025: Matches are communicated

The challenge:

• 17-21 November 2025: meeting 1 - kick-off meeting with your team
• 1-19 December 2025: meeting 2 - the team pitch their approach
• Before 1st of February 2026: meeting 3 - students present their recommendations

Questions? 

Would you like to discuss your challenge before submitting one? Feel free to reach out the the course coordinators: Janna Besamusca (J.W.Besamusca@uu.nl) or Jantien van Berkel (J.vanBerkel@uu.nl), or schedule a call with Master Challenge 👉 here.