The Aspasia program is aimed at accelerating the advancement of female scientists to associate professor/senior lecturer (for Vidi candidates) or full professor (for Vici candidates). The premium offered for the promotion of Vidi applicants that were assessed to be ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ but did not receive the grant is € 120,000. The premium is allocated to the Executive Board of the university or institute where the candidate is promoted. The Executive Board can use the premium to cover the extra salary costs resulting from the promotion or can add it to the research budget of the Aspasia laureate to reward her for her success.