Pilot leads to ‘powerful’ research groups in applied sciences

A €10-million pilot programme aimed at boosting the applied sciences has been a success, according to an assessment by the Rathenau Institute.

The Sprong programme, coordinated by the Taskforce for Applied Research at the national research council NWO, does not fund research directly but funds the formation and growth of “powerful” research groups at Dutch universities of applied sciences.

The Rathenau Institute, which advises the government and parliament on research policies and the impact of emerging technologies, investigated the programme and concluded that it contributed to strengthening professors and encouraging people doing applied research to work together.