Industry presses for national science focus on ‘relevant’ topics

The Dutch National Science Agenda will not attract enough private investment because of its lack of focus, employers organisation VNO-NCW has warned.

In a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives this month, the organisation said that the agenda’s budget distribution is skewed. For 2020, around 75 per cent of the budget is allocated to an open call for proposals, while only 15 per cent is earmarked for themes deemed to be urgently relevant to society.

At the agenda’s inception in 2015, scientists and the general public were invited to come up with ideas for research relevant to society. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated into 25 research areas, and include artificial intelligence, climate change and security.