International top scientists who wish to continue their work in the Netherlands are welcome in our country. That is the message that Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) wants to convey worldwide. He has asked the research funder NWO to set up a program as soon as possible to attract the best scientists to our country. Minister Bruins writes this to the House today.

Minister Bruins: “The world is changing. Tensions are rising. We see that more and more scientists are looking for another place to do their work. I want more international top scientists to come here. After all, top scientists are worth their weight in gold for our country and for Europe.”

Bruins has asked the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to establish a fund as soon as possible to recruit excellent researchers to work here. For example, in the form of a grant. This should ensure that scientists have the means to live here and continue their research at a Dutch knowledge institution.

The details of the fund are not yet known, but Bruins wants to announce it now because scientists are currently considering where they want to continue their careers. It is important that they also think of the Netherlands. Other European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium are also taking initiatives to attract international scientific talent.

A few principles of the fund are already clear. For instance, not only Dutch people working abroad are eligible. Bruins wants to open the scheme to international top-level talent, regardless of nationality. Bruins also wants the fund to open as soon as possible to send a strong signal that top scientists are welcome in the Netherlands. The ambition is to attract several dozen top scientists to the Netherlands with this fund. Bruins expects to provide clarity with NWO in the coming weeks regarding the financial details, the start date of the fund, and the specific conditions that scientists must meet.