OpenFieldDSS Social Tech for Good International Merit Grant
Merit-based tuition scholarship awarded to talented international designers and software technologists dedicated to solving UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Digital Society School: Digital Transformation, Design & AI Ethics Guide
Operating within the Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), the Digital Society School (DSS) is an international postgraduate research and design institute located on the Amstel Campus in Amsterdam. Grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), DSS brings together multidisciplinary teams of designers, software engineers, data scientists, and social researchers to create tangible digital solutions addressing societal challenges.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Postgraduate Professional Traineeship in Digital Transformation and Design
Full-time 20-week intensive studio program embedding scholars in multidisciplinary sprint teams to prototype ethical AI, digital inclusion, and climate resilience platforms.
Doctoral Research Fellowship in Responsible AI and Human-Centered Digital Systems
Four-year salaried doctoral research fellowship evaluating ethical AI architectures, algorithmic accountability, and participatory civic tech platforms in metropolitan Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Climate Resilience and Urban Digital Twin Design Project
Applied design research project creating interactive 3D digital twin visualizations and citizen sensor networks to simulate urban heat mitigation and water drainage.
Studio Design and Inclusive UX Prototyping Work Placement
Studio work-placement designing accessible digital interfaces, voice UI systems, and assistive technologies for individuals with sensory or cognitive disabilities.
DSS Digital Society Leadership and UN SDG Innovation Fellowship
Prestigious fellowship supporting visionary design practitioners developing open-source digital tools that empower local communities and promote social inclusion.
Senior Studio Track Lead and Technology Design Coach
Full-time faculty leadership role mentoring international student sprint teams, liaising with municipal and corporate project partners, and advancing social tech research.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Graduation from an accredited Bachelor's or Master's degree in Interaction Design, Computer Science, Data Science, Social Sciences, or Media Studies with strong digital design capabilities.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Postgraduate professional traineeships and research tracks articulate directly into European applied doctoral research and university PhD appointments in human-computer interaction.
- Language proficiency
- Demonstrated professional English proficiency (minimum IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 or native equivalent).
- Research statement / Proposal
- Comprehensive digital design portfolio, project case studies, CV, and a motivation statement detailing alignment with specific UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Application fee
- Zero application fee for standard digital traineeship and track admissions.
- Required documentation
- Bachelor's/Master's diploma copy, certified academic transcripts, digital portfolio link, resume, and two letters of recommendation.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition for the intensive 20-week professional Digital Traineeship program is approximately €2,850 for EU/EEA students and €4,250 for non-EU international participants. DSS offers substantial fellowship sponsorships, social innovation grants, and industry project bursaries that frequently cover up to 100% of enrollment fees for exceptional candidates.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Digital Society School:
Dr. Gijs Gootjes
Co-Founder & Head of Digital Society School · Digital Transformation, Design for Social Impact, UN Sustainable Development Goals, EdTech Innovation
Dr. Somaya Ben Allouch
Professor of Digital Life & Research Director · Human-Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous Computing, Assistive Technologies, Digital Health
Prof. Dr. Martijn de Waal
Professor of Civic Interaction Design · Civic Media, Smart Cities, Public Space Tech, Participatory Urbanism
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Digital Society School documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue