Top Sectors benefit from open scientific research

13 September 2011

NWO response to the second letter from industry

NWO will award the funding for scientific research within the Top Sectors on a competitive basis by means of independent evaluation and on the basis of scientific quality. NWO's contribution is focused on fundamental research. During the allocation, the expected societal impact and the participation of industry will also play a role. NWO will continue to direct its efforts towards the entire spectrum of academic endeavour. That is apparent from the industry letter 'To the Top' that the Dutch cabinet presented on 13 September. NWO will refine and expand its theme policy so that it can respond optimally to the Top Sector policy.

NWO sees both opportunities and threats for science within the Top Sector policy. Over the past few months it has helped to shape the content of this policy as well as possible. NWO chair Jos Engelen: 'We presented a strong case for the value of fundamental research and the importance of a reputable, open and independent allocation mechanism for research funding. That case has been heard. This guarantees that the limited resources available will go to the best research proposals.'

The industry letter states that in 2012, NWO and KNAW will jointly devote €90 million to fundamental research within the Top Sectors, and that this amount will increase to €350 million in 2015. In addition to this, NWO will continue to fund research across the entire spectrum of academic endeavour.

Commitment over the next few months

Jos Engelen: 'How the research money will be earmarked is one of the subjects that NWO wants to draw specific attention to during the further elaboration of the policy. We are calling for researchers to be given sufficient opportunities. After all, results from scientific research are difficult to predict and manage in advance. You cannot come up with an application and then reason backwards to determine the research needed for this. You cannot predict new insights. The Top Sectors will benefit from the best research that the Netherlands has to offer. We can ensure that the best research is selected with an open and transparent process.'

In 'To the Top', the Dutch cabinet emphasises the importance of structurally embedding public-private partnerships in the knowledge landscape. In the coming years, NWO will invest more in public-private partnerships and in so doing will make use of the expertise that has already been acquired by its institutes, for example. Engelen: 'Successful public-private partnerships also depend upon a strong commitment from industry. We are looking forward to their initiatives.

Unique position of NWO

NWO is contributing to the development of the Top Sectors in various ways. First and foremost NWO is making a strong substantial contribution to the content of the roadmaps that are being developed for the Top Sectors. In that context, and in order to improve the connection with the Top Sectors, NWO will focus on refining and expanding its themes from the NWO strategy 'Growing through knowledge' (Healthy Living; Water and Climate; Cultural and Societal Dynamics; Sustainable Energy; Connecting Sustainable Cities, and Materials: solutions for scarcity) and it will possibly start new themes, such as Agrofood and Horticulture, as well.

From its unique position, NWO can also see how the Top Sectors relate to each other, where the connections are still missing and how the top sectors can strengthen each other's positions. Encouraging synergistic relationships between the Top Sectors will enable the resources available to be used more effectively. For example, several Top Sectors need the same fundamental research. It is vitally important to maintain this overview, especially as the relationship between fundamental research and innovation is often complex. Therefore over the coming months, NWO will play a significant role in elaborating the so-called innovation contracts. These contracts describe the various initiatives that will be started up over the next few years in order to realise the Top Sector agendas.

'Thanks to our unique position and embedding within the scientific field we can see where research provides opportunities for the Top Sectors, even if it concerns cross-sectoral themes. The NWO Division for the Social Sciences and the NWO Division for the Humanities have, for example, joined forces to compile a Cultural and Social Infrastructure Agenda,' says Jos Engelen. The agenda focuses on the coherent research of societal systems such as the employment market, welfare, security, education and public administration and is therefore complementary to and useful for the economic top sectors.

About NWO

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) is the independent Dutch science funding body and its mission is to facilitate excellent scientific research in the Netherlands by means of national competition. Each year NWO spends more than 500 million euros on grants for top research and top researchers, on innovative instruments and equipment, and on institutes where top research is performed. NWO funds the research of more than 5300 talented researchers at universities and institutes. Independent experts select proposals by means of a peer review system. NWO facilitates the transfer of knowledge to society.

..............................

Further information:

 

last modified on 16 September 2011