Peter is Emeritus Professor in regional and urban economics, and in economic geography. From 2009-2015, he was Honorary University Professor at the same university. He has been president of the governing board of the Netherlands Research Council (NWO) (2002-2009). He is also former president of the European Regional Science Association and of the Regional Science Association International. He is fellow of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences, and former vice-president of this organization. In 1996, Peter Nijkamp was awarded the most prestigious scientific prize in the Netherlands, the Spinoza award.