Valorisation at ALW

There's no seperate ALW research programme that addresses putting knowledge to good use. Increasingly, though, research programmes, evaluation criteria, and project applications, reflect valorisation as an aim.

Like any development, this one can be regarded as both an opportunity or a threat. The activities of the National Genomics Initiative, like the NWO Genomics Programme that is managed by the Earth and Life Sciences Coundil (ALW) of NWO, have special focus on possibilities to have new knowledge picked up by society and/or enterprise. But other recent ALW programmes as well, show definite links towards utilisation. Examples include Animal Welfare, Adaptation to Climate Change, Using soil, soil remediation, Nature- or Water Management.

As a rule, valorisation does not impair curiosity driven, fundamental research. In the past, it would suffice for project leaders to be involved just until the final cover of a dissertation or scientific magazine. Nowadays their commitment has to reach further than that. In that sense, research programmes and research projects nowadays include giving the sequel to a project a really good deal of thought.

Since this site addresses hte utilisation of new knowledge by Dutch society, most of it will only be available in the Dutch language.