News item | 27-11-2025 | 10:15
Innovative technology is the basis of economic growth and indispensable for our health and safety. That is why the Ministry of Economic Affairs is investing in developing this by financing collaboration between innovative (SME) entrepreneurs and researchers. 12 projects – in which more than a hundred companies, knowledge organizations and governments work together – now receive more than €46.4 million in public support. The parties themselves contribute € 19.6 million to these collaborations within the Perspective program of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
The 12 projects are concerned with strategic technologies that are important for a social and economic impact. Examples include the latest generation of semiconductor chips, making Dutch food production more sustainable, developing new water purification techniques, but also personalized nanotherapies for cancer treatment. Particles from nano to micrometers in size then ensure that medicines end up in specific places in the body.
Minister Vincent Karremans (Economic Affairs): “For more than 15 years, the Perspective has been contributing to technological solutions for social challenges and economic growth. Especially at a time when innovation is essential for our health, safety and prosperity, it is very important that researchers and entrepreneurs work together. By encouraging public-private partnerships and targeted investments in knowledge development, we ensure that the Netherlands continues to lead the way in the future. And that we ultimately continue to earn money with our strong knowledge base..”
Perspective aimed at more technology development in the Netherlands
Perspectief is a program of the NWO, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The program challenges researchers to form collaborative projects with businesses, civil society organizations and governments for research focused on societal challenges and various key technologies such as photonics, biotechnology and AI.
Together, the project participants work on technological innovations with social impact and creating economic opportunities for the Netherlands. The projects thus contribute to the innovation policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Entrepreneurs and researchers can work with this support for the next 6 years.
NWO has decided to award additional projects within this round in 2025 due to the good quality of the proposals. For this purpose, a one-off €20 million has been added to the available budget, which amounts to €46.4 million.