Knowledge is extremely important for Europe: European investments and collaboration in the field of knowledge help address societal challenges or cross-border issues and facilitate the exchange of knowledge.
The European Commission is working on a new proposal for the allocation of European funds within the EU for the period 2028 to 2034, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). For this, NWO, together with other Dutch knowledge organizations united in Neth-ER, emphasizes the importance of European investments in research and innovation.
The new Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Commission will determine how the European funds will be allocated in the period 2028-2034. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already stated that research and innovation will be central to the European economy. There is also a strong emphasis on European competitiveness. Therefore, there is a proposal within the EU for a new fund to promote competitiveness. Research would fall under this fund. The Dutch knowledge sector is questioning whether this is a good idea. Three questions and answers about this plan:
1. What is happening?
In recent decades, the European Union has had various framework programs for research. The most recent program is Horizon Europe: with this program, the European Commission stimulates science and innovation in Europe. This program runs until 2027. In the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU, a new program for research and innovation is being considered. The current proposal is to establish a broad fund for the competitiveness of Europe, under which research would fall. The Dutch knowledge sector is concerned that this could swallow up the entire budget for (scientific) research and innovation into this broader fund for competitiveness. This could facilitate cuts in research.
The knowledge institutions express their concerns through a long-running campaign. Neth-ER, the association for representing the interests of the Dutch knowledge sector in Europe, including NWO, is the initiator of this campaign. This campaign calls attention to investments in research and innovation and the doubling of budgets for a new Horizon program.
Learn more about the campaign?
2. Why is a European research program important?
For Dutch research, a European research program is of great importance. A European program stimulates European competition and makes it easier for Dutch researchers to collaborate internationally with other researchers. NWO, for example, contributes to the European co-funded partnerships that focus on complex societal challenges and impact. The partners in this program are research financiers from different countries. NWO develops various thematic transnational calls together with the partners.
More information about European partnerships
There is also a flow of funds from Europe to Dutch researchers: through various European research grants, Dutch researchers can carry out their research. Within the current program, the Netherlands achieves a return rate of about 9.4%. Moreover, the Netherlands has been among the top in Horizon Europe for years, an important program for the Dutch research field.
3. What does NWO do?
NWO is committed in various ways to investments in knowledge at the European level and European collaboration. For this, it is active in various committees and working groups at the European level. NWO aims to influence international developments in science policy together with other partners from the knowledge sector. For example, NWO proactively contributes to a healthy and safe global research culture through participation in Science Europe, the European umbrella organization for research financiers and implementers, of which NWO board chairman Marcel Levi is vice-chairman. Neth-ER facilitates European policy influence in collaboration with partners from the Dutch knowledge sector.