Good connections and good timing boost impact, report says

Dutch study of applied research projects emphasises the importance of an entrepreneurial attitude

Achieving impact in applied research projects involves a mix of entrepreneurialism, strong connections, decisive action and good timing, a report has said.

The report by the Rathenau Institute, a policy advisory body, looks at seven projects financed in 2018 under a programme to support joint research between universities of applied sciences and small and medium-sized businesses. It was commissioned by that programme’s funder, the SIA taskforce for applied research—part of the NWO research council—to find out what impact the projects have had and how that impact has happened.