News item | 14-07-2025 | 06:00
Over the past four years, Dutch scientists have won more than 1 billion euros for fundamental research through the European Dutch Safety Board. This is according to new calculations from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), which are being published today.
This is research conducted in the context of the Horizon Europe program of the European Union that is still running up to and including 2027. The European Dutch Survey Bed on Fundamental Research within this program and groundbreaking research projects are supported. With this money, Dutch scientists can carry out projects that can lead to large scientific breakthroughs.
The European Commission is expected to announce the plans for a new European program this week for the period 2028-2034. Minister Bruins argues on behalf of the Netherlands for a good successor to the current program.
Minister Bruins: “I am proud of our scientists. The fact that we have been a net receiver for years when it comes to the award of European money for science shows that our science is world-class. That is why I have to keep it that way in Europe for a strong new European research and innovation program. The world around us is changing good cooperation between scientists and innovative entrepreneurs. ”
Better cancer control and blind show again
Research where better ways to fight cancer has come from, insight into how brains make decisions and monitoring biodiversity from space: these are just a few examples of Dutch scientific fundamental research that permanently changes our lives. And that is possible with European money.
For example, based on previously fundamental scientific research to how our brain sees things, financed from the Horizon program, currently one Technology developed To show blind people again. People may then get their vision artificially back through a brain implant. In this way, the Horizon Europe program supports the entire trip from Wild Idea to commercial application and social impact.
Horizon Europe
In the Horizon Europe program, Europe has 95.5 billion euros available for research and innovation, which scientists and innovative entrepreneurs can claim the best ideas. The Netherlands is good at that, the Horizon Europe program is the only major European program that the Netherlands receives more from than pays.
In addition to the 1 billion limit that has been broken for fundamental research, Europe is also an important source of financing for other scientific research and innovation. For example, research where a concrete innovation is attached or research in collaboration with companies. All in all, since the start of the Horizon Europe program in 2021 in 2021, Dutch scientists and innovative companies managed to win more than 4.5 billion, often in collaboration with the best heads worldwide.
European investments in science important
The European investments in research and innovation are important to let good new ideas come to maturity. But the Horizon Europe program will expire in 2027. The European Commission is expected to present the proposal for a successor this week. Money from Europe is important, especially in times of national cuts. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science gives in 2025 6 billion in research and developmentand also from the Ministry of Economic Affairs there is investments in research and innovation.
Minister Bruins will be traveling next week to the Informal Council for Competitive City led by EU chairman Denmark. At this council, which takes place in Copenhagen, he meets with fellow ministers from the European Union and with European Commissioner Zaharieva about the future of research and innovation.