The support comes from the second funding round of the Facilities for Applied Research (FTO) scheme. In the first round (2024), €290 million was already allocated. Dutch Applied Research Organizations (TO2) and National Knowledge Institutions can use this support to develop and enhance high-quality and future-proof research facilities.
Minister Vincent Karremans (Economic Affairs): “The knowledge and research level in the Netherlands is high. But research and development and ultimately valuable innovations do not arise automatically. These technologies and products are also urgently needed for our security, to prevent dependencies, and to continue earning money in the future. If we want to remain successful, strong research facilities are the foundation, and that is why we invest in them.”
The eleven allocated projects
The funds go to a new research aircraft (NLR), the Biospec facility for processes in food and biobased economy (WR), the Biobased Products Innovation Plant working on circular innovations and biorefining. The Drone facility (NLR) is being expanded to test larger and more complex drones. Naturalis will further automate its biodiversity monitoring by applying AI. Deltares will use this support to upgrade its basins where research on water safety, energy, and climate adaptation takes place.
MARIN and Deltares both receive support for innovative laboratories. The high-speed wind tunnels for military and civil aerospace at NLR are being updated. RIVM will set up a central sample bank. RCE will improve access to movable and built heritage data.
