Science shapes future society

On this web page we introduce the four pillars of the institutes’ missions for 2025-2030 and provide insight into our organisation’s strategic ambitions. Together with the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) we also wrote a joint vision of the role of our 22 national research institutes. 

Content:

• Mission 1. Contributing to world-leading research
• Mission 2. Empowering the Dutch research community
• Mission 3. Providing long-term perspective
• Mission 4. Helping to shape future society
• Strategic ambitions NWO-I
• The National Research Institutes of KNAW and NWO 

1. Contributing to world-leading research

Scientific research at the NWO institutes is driven by curiosity and is fundamental in nature. Fundamental research is an essential requirement for innovation. It is critical when addressing societal challenges and requires a high level of expertise, a long-term perspective, often costly infrastructure, and alignment with national or international organisations.

Each separate NWO institute has its own scientific mission and strategy, a strong scientific reputation and is at the cutting edge of carefully and strategically chosen scientific developments and research. The institutes are regularly assessed by independent review panels, ensuring their status as thriving institutes at the forefront of their field, focusing on highly relevant research questions, performing top-level research for the long term and successfully attracting and retaining international talent. Each institute is regarded as a leader by its peers in its respective field.

A key resource of every NWO institute are the professionals who work there: a diverse group of people from a wide range of backgrounds who each dedicate their own individual talents to  achieving the institutes’ goals. NWO institutes employ a wide range of engineering and technical staff, and our institute organisation offers an ecosystem in which these diverse professionals can thrive.

The unique combination of leading scientists and highly skilled technical staff creates an atmosphere of discovery and innovation. As a result, NWO institutes are invaluable to the Dutch science landscape and are recognised not only as international leaders in both science and technology, but also as preferred partners in international collaborations developing global research  infrastructures.

The institutes maintain their world-leading position by being agile and versatile, through constantly increasing their scientific strengths; exploring new research directions; actively scouting, training and hiring international talent; renewing their scientific infrastructure, both physical and digital; and collaborating extensively with universities, KNAW institutes, other knowledge institutes, and industry.

AMOLF: physics of functional complex matter AMOLF initiates and conducts leading fundamental research on the physics of complex functional matter. One of its research areas is the conversion of light into electricity. Its research has led to several breakthroughs, including a silicon-based solar cell with record-breaking efficiency and solar cells that are 100 times thinner than conventional ones, yet still absorb most light thanks to a nanostructured design. Solar cells AMOLF has developed a widely adopted method for classifying the characteristic losses of the most efficient solar cells. This method is now used by research teams worldwide and the data is regularly updated on the AMOLF website. Researchers at AMOLF also developed new measurement techniques for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), cathodoluminescence, tunnelling electron microscopy and modulated photoluminescence, which are both scientifically and economically impactful. For example, the EBSD detector developed at AMOLF has enabled the measurement of the structure of highly promising, but beam-sensitive materials such as halide perovskites on the nanoscale. The commercialised systems based on these inventions currently generate revenue of € 12 million for the Dutch economy, with a strongly increasing trend. Recently, AMOLF co-initiated and led the SolarNL initiative, which accelerates next-generation solar energy technologies in the Netherlands.

2. Empowering the Dutch research community

The NWO institutes are uniquely positioned in the Dutch science landscape. They fulfil a crucial national role and their missions explicitly incorporate the ambition to empower their respective research communities. Each institute accomplishes this by taking its own distinctive approach. From fostering extensive collaborations with universities and other public or private partners, to providing the community with research facilities and access to international large-scale infrastructures, developing scientific instruments, or any combination of these activities. These crucial
achievements by the NWO institutes help bring scientific endeavour in the Netherlands to the forefront of global science through research that crosses disciplinary
and national boundaries.

For many NWO institutes, the development of cutting-edge scientific instruments and facilities is at the heart of their mission to empower the Dutch research community. The nature of these instruments and facilities is driven by the national scientific priorities of the Dutch research community and developed in cooperation with that community. Developing such state-of-the-art instruments, space missions, and facilities requires scientific innovation and cutting-edge technical expertise.

The NWO institutes also fulfil a strong supporting role in their respective fields of research. They offer the use of their state-of-the-art facilities to other scientific parties, such as Dutch universities and private partners, for the purposes of research and innovation. Very often this results in extensive collaborations and high-quality joint publications.

These facilities include for example the national research fleet, the LOFAR radio telescope, the ion-beam facility, high-field magnets and free-electron lasers. Furthermore, our institutes actively contribute to and offer Dutch researchers access to international research collaborations, such as CERN, ESA, ESRF, ITER and EMFL. Not only do the institutes provide access to these facilities, but their active research and development programmes also drive innovation for these facilities and advance international research collaboration.

Collaboration with universities, KNAW institutes and other parties takes a variety of forms. Knowledge sharing and exchange of personnel are two ways in which the synergy between the NWO institutes and their respective fields is made tangible. Many research leaders at NWO institutes also have appointments at Dutch universities, and our institutes actively seek out new opportunities for joint appointments for the mutual benefit of the institute and the university.

Another approach is to organise workshops or longer semester programs aiming to foster and accelerate collaborative research by facilitating the exchange of ideas, the development of joint knowledge and the building of lasting relationships between researchers.

When our staff teach at a university, for example, this creates a powerful link between scientific research and knowledge transfer. Also, our PhD students are connected to Dutch universities and their graduate schools. Moreover, NWO institutes have the national position and capability to organise and coordinate large-scale collaborative projects and can allocate staff and resources for major consortiums. This benefits science at Dutch universities and beyond.

NIOZ: the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea NIOZ is the national oceanographic institute and the Netherlands’ centre of expertise for ocean, sea and coast. We advance fundamental understanding of marine systems, the way they change, the role they play in climate and biodiversity, and how they may provide sustainable solutions to society in the future. Marine Facilities NIOZ also harbours the National Marine Facilities: three state-of-the-art research vessels, and an abundance of seagoing and underwater equipment. Both equipment and vessels are available to all marine researchers in the Netherlands, allowing them to study the marine environment both above and below water, as well as in the sea bottom and coastal waters. In strong collaboration with researchers, the technicians of NIOZ develop new tools for specific research questions and continuously innovate and update the available techniques. As we speak, the new ocean-going ship RV Anna Weber-Van Bosse is being built; input for the specifications and tools on the ship was collected from the entire Dutch marine research community. By forming a national hub and maintaining strong collaborations, also internationally, NIOZ provides the backbone for excellent marine science in the Netherlands

3. Providing long-term perspective

Many NWO institutes have fulfilled their role for decades. This is not only a testament to their value for the Dutch scientific community, but also reflects the intrinsic nature of the institutes: they exist to serve the long-term strategy and perspective in their scientific fields. NWO institutes are not driven by short-term priorities but have clear missions and long-term strategies to achieve their scientific goals. In some cases, these missions and strategies form part of large international collaborations with timelines that extend for decades (e.g. particle colliders, satellites,
research ships, telescopes, fusion facilities).

Ambitions on this scale often involve developing and maintaining large-scale facilities, which comes with serious risks and requires major investment, not least in building a highly skilled and experienced workforce. NWO institutes are willing and able to make such commitments for their own research and on behalf of the entire Dutch scientific community. A stable base funding gives NWO institutes the capability to remain agile and take the lead in new research directions.

The institutes are inherently dynamic and strive for multi-disciplinary approaches to new topics, not only in terms of the science itself, but also by deploying technical know-how and expertise in addressing scientific challenges. In the past, NWO institutes have demonstrated their ability to shift their focus by developing and exploring novel scientific topics and, where appropriate, new institutes have been set up. Through the decades, the NWO institutes have confirmed their status at the forefront of science.

SRON: Space Research Organisation Netherlands SRON is the national institute for space research in the Netherlands. It serves as the national expertise centre for the Dutch space research community and leads the Netherlands participation in the ESA Science Programme. Long-term development SRON pursues a broad science programme in astrophysics, exoplanet research, and Earth atmospheric research, coupled with technology and instrument development, to provide key scientific and technical contributions to international space missions. The development of these technologies and new instruments that enable groundbreaking scientific discoveries can take decades to go from concept to a working scientific instrument in space. SRON provides a long-term, stable environment to develop these capabilities and the strategic vision for new developments today that will enable the scientific discoveries of the future. MKID technology The development of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors, or MKID technology, exemplifies SRON’s strategic, long-term approach. Originally conceived almost two decades ago as highly sensitive, multiplexable far-infrared detectors, MKIDs have evolved through intensive research, prototyping and laboratory validation, culminating today in their implementation onboard upcoming missions like PRIMA, set to transform far-infrared astrophysics through unprecedented sensitivity and mapping capabilities.

4. Helping to shape future society

Today’s society faces a host of challenges – intellectual, technological and sociological. These challenges stem from a series of existential questions: where did we come from? How and where did life originate? How is the matter surrounding us structured? Meanwhile, crises with regard to climate and biodiversity, challenges with information and artificial intelligence, the transition to clean energy, migration and our ageing society constitute a specific set of urgent challenges.

Our social structures and our scientific approach are constantly evolving in response to these questions and challenges. This requires the NWO institutes to continually adapt while providing long-term stability and perspectives in their respective fields for the benefit of the entire scientific community and ultimately, society as a whole.

The NWO institutes have a long-standing track record of research that is relevant to society. From being at the forefront of nuclear energy, the transition to clean energy and the use of AI, to long-established data collection on topics such as climate events, crime and justice. Creating new knowledge and insights to address these challenges through fundamental research is at the core of our institutes. Moreover, by providing new understanding, research at NWO institutes helps shape the future, not only at a scientific level but also at a policy level. The NWO institutes are therefore geared towards active participation in science and society.

The institutes achieve this by generating novel scientific understanding in their fields. Sometimes this is the result of careful planning, but discoveries by serendipity are significant, too. Having thriving institutes ensures new ideas constantly float to the surface and serendipitous discoveries are bound to happen.

These achievements of our institutes are evidenced by their output, from scientific papers to advice issued to the government. In terms of government advice, the institutes contribute key solutions aimed at addressing the materials crisis (including rare earth elements), the climate and biodiversity crisis, the energy transitions and the AI and data transition. Furthermore, the institutes actively promote the use of their scientific results to drive innovation.

Of course, the NWO institutes cannot do this alone. They actively engage society and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, from universities to government, and from applied research institutes to industry.

DIFFER: science for future energy To foster the transition to clean energy, DIFFER performs leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure, in close partnership with universities and industry. Scientists from all over the globe work with DIFFER on solutions for our future energy supply. A sun on earth DIFFER’s research focuses on unlocking the enormous potential of hydrogen fusion as a clean, compact and almost inexhaustible energy source. Fusion is seen as a major pathway to a sustainable energy system. Facilities at DIFFER make it possible to simulate the conditions to which critical parts of future fusion reactors are exposed. The energy of chemistry When it comes to chemical energy, DIFFER’s research is conducted in the context of converting and storing sustainable energy sources into chemical forms, such as hydrogen or CO2 -neutral fuels, through processes like water splitting and CO2 reduction.

Strategic ambitions

The NWO institutes are always focused on the long-term perspective, but achieving long-term goals calls for a set of strategic ambitions for the shorter term. These ambitions fully align with and expand on the overall NWO strategy for 2023-2027.

Funding

Running any NWO institute requires dedicated personnel and sufficient funding. In the current political and geopolitical climate, this is not a given. The base funding our institutes receive is an important part of what each institute needs to fulfil its national role, but it is far from adequate. Thanks to their scientific excellence and unique scientific infrastructure, the institutes are well-positioned to acquire additional funds. In the coming years, this will remain a challenge and the NWO institutes will respond by seeking out new routes of funding. The NWO institutes have an
ongoing responsibility to society to demonstrate how fundamental research benefits all: investing in the NWO institutes is an investment in the future.

Talent & culture

None of our innovative scientific discoveries and technological development would be possible without the people who do the work. Recruiting key personnel remains a challenge: highly skilled and trained engineering staff can be especially hard to find. We are constantly on the lookout for talent and will continue to intensify our efforts to attract highly qualified and experienced professionals, embracing unconventional solutions where appropriate. Additional efforts will be made to highlight the benefits of working at our institutes. We specifically aim to offer staff an excellent work-life balance, and an open and welcoming community.

Our approach to staffing is informed by research which unequivocally shows that diversity, equity and inclusivity lead to better science and enhance the work culture throughout our institutes. We incorporate these core values in all our policies, most notably in our talent management and staff development programmes. We are actively developing leadership programmes for all staff, with a view to creating the next generation of leaders in their field (whether that be science or engineering), making sure our institutes consistently remain at the forefront of science and
technology.

The institutes have long been developing policies to create a better work culture, ensure safety, make our scientific output publicly available and facilitate collaboration with (industrial) partners and leadership in national and international scientific collaborations. Most of these policies are now well-established and reflect ongoing developments across the Dutch and international scientific ecosystems. In the coming years, we aim to further implement these policies and anchor them more deeply in the DNA of our institutes. This is no easy task and will take time to implement, but ultimately it will make the NWO institutes stronger and ready for the future.

Collaborations

Our institutes’ collaborations with universities, KNAW institutes, other knowledge institutes and industry are of great importance to all parties. Our past achievements are impressive but we firmly believe that improvement is always possible. We are looking for further opportunities to appoint members of our staff as professors and associate professors at the universities, in the conviction that the research at the institutes can and should enhance the education available to the next generation of professionals.

In third-party cooperation, we will strengthen our collaborations with industry partners by consolidating our industrial liaison network and identifying new opportunities for scientific projects and technological development. When collaborating with industry partners, we also share our values to work towards a more sustainable and equitable world. Furthermore, we strengthen the ongoing internal collaboration between our institutes, which is clear when implementing policy, but requires greater synergy on the scientific level, especially when addressing societal challenges.

Our institutes are committed to sustainability in all their research and development activities. They actively search for ways to minimise energy use and reduce their carbon footprint, in line with goals set for 2030 and 2050. These efforts not only encompass the daily operation of our buildings and infrastructure, but also all other aspects, from scientific practice to travel and attending conferencess.

About the organisation

The Foundation for Dutch Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) is an independent foundation incorporated under private law. As such, it is not a governmental organisation but forms part of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

NWO-I is an umbrella organisation for ten national research institutes: AMOLF, ARCNL, ASTRON, CWI, DIFFER, HFML-FELIX, Nikhef, NIOZ, NSCR and SRON. These institutes are located throughout the Netherlands. Each one pursues its own scientific mission and strategy, under the leadership of a director and an institute manager who report directly to the board of NWO-I.

The directors and institute managers meet on a monthly basis to maintain positive and productive links between all of the institutes and to develop the joint strategic agenda and administration for NWO-I, based on this strategy, the shared mission and the need to respond to current challenges.

In doing so, the institutes are supported by a central office. In total, NWO-I employs about 1,800 people (350 of whom are PhD researchers) and between them, the institutes have over 100 staff who also hold a professorship at a Dutch university. On an annual basis, the institutes also welcome 150 Master’s and Bachelor’s students and over 500 guests and users.

Essential and unique position in the Dutch scientific landscape

As a collection of national research institutes which all adhere to this clear strategic narrative, NWO-I occupies, due the institutes’ national roles, an essential and unique position in the Dutch scientific landscape. However, it does not operate in isolation: the institutes are integral to the network of universities, KNAW institutes, other knowledge institutes and technology-driven industry.

The NWO institutes are designed to discover and foster scientific leaders, who not only excel as experts in their field but also ensure that the institutes offer an open, transparent culture and a healthy working environment where new ideas and initiatives are valued and staff are given the freedom and autonomy to develop them.

Being part of an overarching organisation has significant benefits for the institutes, not only advantages of scale but also opportunities to learn from each other as institutes facing similar challenges.

The National Research Institutes of KNAW and NWO  Research with impact  Science is of great value to society and continues to amaze and inspire us. Scientific independent research helps us to better understand the world around us and brings technologies and insights beyond our imagination. Through scientific research, we aim to find solutions to major societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, social inequality and pandemics. Science contributes to a flexible, resilient knowledge-based society and to innovations aiding Dutch and European competitiveness, now and in the future.   To find solutions for these current, complex societal and scientific challenges, expertise is needed in the natural and technical sciences, life sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Netherlands is in an excellent position to make a significant contribution to solving these challenges given the high level of Dutch science across the full range of disciplines, the close ties between Dutch universities and knowledge institutes and their excellent international networks.  The unique role of our 22 national research institutes  The twenty-two national research institutes of KNAW and NWO focus on fundamental scientific research and are important partners in the broad Dutch research landscape together with universities and other knowledge institutes (see the image at the bottom of this page for an overview of all institutes and their locations). Together they employ over 3,000 professionals working to push the boundaries of our knowledge for the benefit of society.  Empowering the Dutch research community  The national research institutes empower their respective research communities in various ways. They do so by fostering extensive collaborations with universities and other public or private partners, by providing their communities with vast and important collections and access to large-scale national and international research infrastructures and by developing scientific instruments. As such, the national research institutes are perfectly equipped to fulfil an important role in the Dutch ecosystem of science, research and innovation for the benefit of society at large.  The research performed within the institutes is at the cutting edge of scientific developments in the respective fields and requires a high level of expertise, a long-term perspective, quite often costly research infrastructure and alignment with national or international organisations. In close collaboration with the universities (the image at the bottom of this page provides an overview of professors affiliated with NWO-I or KNAW and a Dutch university), the national research institutes of KNAW and NWO advance scientific endeavours in the Netherlands and position themselves at the forefront of global science.  Over 180 researchers hold professorships at Dutch universities, and all of our PhD students are enrolled at Dutch universities and their respective graduate schools. This shows that institutes and universities are intrinsically connected in research but also in teaching.  Responsible research practices   In all their activities, the institutes promote and adhere to high ethical standards of academic freedom, academic responsibility and research integrity. The two parent organisations (KNAW and NWO), the twenty-two institutes and their supporting central offices work closely together in the development of research policy and in adapting this policy to current developments. This includes, but is not limited to, open science, academic culture, professorship policies, research security and knowledge transfer.  Serving society through research  The national research institutes of KNAW and NWO serve society through their fundamental research, collections and research infrastructure across all of the humanities, social sciences, life sciences, natural and technical sciences. They generate knowledge and develop solutions to tackle current and future intellectual, technological and societal challenges. Through active collaboration with universities and other knowledge partners and through sharing of expertise, the institutes drive innovation and deliver evidence-based insights for a broad spectrum of users, ranging from governments and NGOs to companies.  Over recent decades in each of the scientific domains, the institutes have contributed to important societal or technological insights and breakthroughs. Examples include the development of wireless communication, a reliable and easy-to-use lead detection test kit, new biomarkers for the national neonatal heel prick screening, the discovery of organoids as a replacement for animal testing in drug research, insights into the societal consequences of demographic development, the long-term social consequences of historical events such as world wars and genocide and the impact of colonial and postcolonial processes. Our insights and breakthroughs have led to the creation of spin-off companies, licensing agreements, policy changes, and have shaped agenda-setting processes across society.  KNAW’s and NWO-I’s strategic missions Both the KNAW and the NWO institutes (NWO-I) have produced more detailed strategic mission and vision statements . Together with a brief description of each of the institutes, these strategic lines provides a clear illustration of the relevance of the national research institutes for the scientific community and their benefit to society.  Curious about the strategic mission of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)? You can read all about it on the KNAW website.