Screening for Scientists Who Want to Work with Sensitive Knowledge

Researchers and masters students who want to work with sensitive knowledge in the Netherlands will only be allowed to do so after being screened by the government. This is stated in the new legislative proposal screening knowledge safety, which is going into internet consultation today. The legislative proposal was announced in the government program.

Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) is the proposer of the legislative proposal, along with Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) and in agreement with Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs).

Bruins: “Knowledge is power, and therefore we must protect our knowledge. By specifically screening people who want access to knowledge that is very important for our country, we prevent that knowledge from leaking. I want to do this carefully, together with knowledge institutions. Only then can we really take a good step for our safety while maintaining the open and international character of our science. That is crucial.”