Minister Letschert’s 'Prinsjesdag' hat inspired by work of AMOLF researcher Wim Noorduin
On Prinsjesdag, the opening of the Dutch parliament, Rianne Letschert, Minister for Education, Culture and Science, will wear the ‘Hat of Wonder’, a fusion of science and art. The hat and the accompanying shoulder piece do not come from a fashion studio, but from the laboratory. The striking floral shapes are inspired by microscopic structures from the research of AMOLF scientist Wim Noorduin, which, when viewed under a microscope, bear a striking resemblance to tiny flowers. Artist and designer Malou Beemer has translated these shapes – normally invisible to the naked eye – into wearable art.
Visit our institutes during Weekend of Science 2026
Weekend of Science takes place on 3 and 4 October 2026. Come and take a look behind the scenes of science and technology at NWO-I. You can visit our institutes in Amsterdam, Dwingeloo, Leiden, Groningen, Eindhoven, Nijmegen, Texel and Yerseke.
NWO-I/NSCR and VU Amsterdam Extend Collaboration Agreement
Marcel Levi (Chair of the NWO-I Board of Trustees) and Jeroen Geurts (Rector Magnificus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) signed a new collaboration agreement between the NWO institute NSCR and VU Amsterdam on 4 September 2026. With the signing of this agreement, the long-standing and fruitful collaboration between the two organizations will be continued ánd renewed for the next ten years.
Beate Völker joins the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Beate Völker is stepping down as Director of the NWO institute NSCR (Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement) and will join the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as of September 2026. She will be appointed Professor of Social Networks, Cooperation and Conflict, contemporary theories and empirical research in the Department of Sociology. The endowed chair was established by NWO-I.
New director of NIOZ as of 1 September 2026: Maaike van de Kamp-Romijn
The NWO-I foundation board has appointed Maaike van de Kamp-Romijn as the new director of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research as of 1 September.
Dutch government supports expansion of ETPathfinder facility in Maastricht
With the award of 25 million euros, ETPathfinder will undergo an expansion that will allow components and systems of the future Einstein Telescope to be tested at full scale and above ground.
Geoffrey Bower appointed as new director of ASTRON
The Board of NWO-I has appointed Prof. Dr. Geoffrey C. Bower as the new director of ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. Effective 1st of September 2026, Prof. Dr. Bower will succeed Prof. Dr. Jessica Dempsey. With this appointment, ASTRON welcomes a strategic leader with a wide range of scientific and technical work in the field of Physics and Astronomy.
On Thursday, 16 April, the Princess of Orange visited Amsterdam Science Park, including AMOLF. The theme was Amsterdam Tech City, with a special focus on AI and sustainable solar energy.
Queen Máxima christens new research vessel RV Anna Weber-van Bosse
The nearly 80-metre vessel of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is considered by researchers to be one of the most advanced research vessels in the world.
Marcel Levi reappointed as president of the NWO Executive Board
Professor Marcel Levi has been reappointed as president of the Executive Board of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). He therefore automatically takes on the role of chairperson of the NWO-I Foundation Board again. His second term begins on 1 April 2026. Minister Rianne Letschert of Education, Culture and Science has formally reappointed NWO’s president.
