NWO strategy 2023-2026

‘Science Works!’ outlines our strategy for 2023–2026 and describes, based on our mission, how we are addressing these challenges and what the state of Dutch research will be in 2030. We reveal how science can fulfil the role that society demands. And how science can amaze and inspire society, and thereby enrich it.

Fantastic new ideas. Insights and applications we did not know about before. Concrete solutions to problems we face here and now. Scientific research – fundamental, applied and practical – plays a key role in shaping us as a society. And in shaping our country, in societal, economic and social terms.

World-class scientific research with impact

NWO’s mission is to advance world-class scientific research that has both a scientific and a social impact. At the same time, we are witnessing developments in society that are affecting the position of science. These include new social challenges, digitisation, a different view of international cooperation, the importance of the rapid utilisation of knowledge in society, but also the level of trust in science.

Three roles NWO

NWO fulfils three roles to guarantee quality and innovation in science and to promote the impact of research. As a connector, we fulfil an important bridging function between researchers, governments, politics, knowledge institutions, industry and other knowledge users. As a funder, we stimulate research in various ways. And scientists conduct world-class research at our research institutes. Each institute has its own scientific mission of national and international strategic importance. We invest an average of one billion euros per year in free and unfettered research that focuses on social challenges and the Dutch research infrastructure.

Four building blocks

In ‘Science works!’ we have defined four building blocks required for a healthy science and innovation system in which knowledge institutions, the business community, social organisations, government bodies and citizens all have an important place:

  • A healthy research culture

    We are helping to build a healthy research culture that unlocks (untapped) talent, provides better and supported solutions to questions and problems, offers more opportunities for collaboration, and promotes social welfare and economic prosperity. We are working on a culture that prioritises collaboration, respect, safety and mutual trust and in which scientific integrity is a given; just like open science.

    Our ambitions

  • Robust funding

    We contribute to robust funding. Broad accessibility and good structural funding are preconditions for good scientific infrastructure. In such a system, researchers have sufficient resources to do their work, and funding also provides them with peace of mind. And there is a healthy 1:1 balance between free, unfettered research and a budget for demand-driven, thematic research.

    Our ambitions

  • Coherent research agendas

    We help ensure synergy within the research system by promoting coherent research agendas. In some research areas, the Netherlands is taking the lead because as a country we already have a position at the forefront of these areas, or because we want to generate more impact in these areas. In the coming years, this will require us to make choices based on a common strategic interest.

    Our ambitions

  • Unimpeded collaboration

    And we play a driving role in achieving unimpeded collaboration. Collaboration creates more opportunities for innovation. We encourage collaboration across borders between organisations, countries or sectors. We encourage collaboration between and within disciplines and between different types of research. Social actors, citizens and knowledge users are important partners. We are building a system in which collaboration is natural and simple and in which we support research networks in the long term.

    Our ambitions

Open and transparent organisation

To make a good contribution, NWO is also critically building on its own organisation. NWO wants to be an open and transparent organisation with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, in which all talented researchers are given the opportunity they deserve. Our institutes offer an appealing environment for researchers from around the world and strengthen Dutch science by attracting and training talent.

Our ambitions

Research policy subject of research

NWO wants to make its own practices and the science system as a whole the subject of research. By making research the focus of research, we will develop the expertise, as a science system, to make research policy and funding more efficient and effective.

Our ambitions

38 ambitions

Our strategy contains 38 ambitions which we translate into implementation plans in the different parts of NWO’s organisation. Our knowledge partners and staff are crucial to achieving this strategy. Together we help advance science, society and the Netherlands. And we cannot do all of this without the free spirit of the researcher who dares to tread new paths. The researcher who inspires, amazes and provides insights we have not had yet. Who brings science and the world one step further with fresh ideas and new results. The researcher who shows in everything that he or she does that science works!