NWO to implement initial boost Dutch National Research Agenda

The Startimpuls will strengthen the basis for fundamental, practice-oriented and applied research, as well as thematic research. The bulk of the Startimpuls, 20 million euros, is intended for thematic research within three themes related to current issues of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This concerns eight routes from the Dutch National Research Agenda. In addition, 5 million euros is available for talent policy, which has been reserved to create 100 new professorships for women. Another 5 million euros is available for broad valorisation, which will largely be used for the Industrial Doctorates programme. Finally, 2 million euros is available to allow the knowledge agendas of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and other ministries to be harmonised with the Dutch National Research Agenda.

Thematic Research Dutch National Research Agenda
The route leaders of the Dutch National Research Agenda have been invited to submit a research proposal in close consultation with the collaborating partners within their route to qualify for funding from the 20 million euros for thematic research. The plan is to allocate funding for these proposals before the summer.

Procedure encourages collaboration
The procedure will be set up in such a way that it meets the objectives of the Dutch National Research Agenda: encouraging new partnerships between researchers from different disciplines, but also between different knowledge institutions, government ministries and civil society organisations. For example, both the scope and funding of the Startimpuls can be expanded if interested parties decide to co-fund research and to bring their own societal, economic or scientific questions into the framework of the Dutch National Research Agenda.

Members of the selection committee
Members of the selection committee thematic research Dutch National Research Agenda

• Prof. G. Beenker on behalf of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW)
• Dr. J. Sistermans on behalf of Royal Association MKB-Nederland
• Prof. M. Joëls on behalf of Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres
• Prof. P. Werkhoven on behalf of TO2
• Prof. M. Bovens on behalf of the Association of universities in the Netherlands (VSNU)
• Dr. L. Jensen on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
• Dr. H. de Ruiter on behalf of the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH)
• Prof. N. Katsonis on behalf of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)