First mission-driven programmes to arrive in the new year

Dutch National Growth Fund ready to deliver highly anticipated scheme, Marc Hendrikse tells Ineke Malsch

The National Growth Fund, set up by the Dutch government to finance knowledge development, research, innovation and infrastructure, is set to award the first slice of its €20 billion budget in early 2021.

Five proposals for large-scale, mission-oriented research programmes are under consideration, led by the ‘top sectors’—public-private organisations based on government priorities that bring together universities, research institutes and companies. The high-tech systems and materials top sector (HTSM) is involved with four of the five proposals and its members are waiting to hear whether they will be involved in one of the first programmes to be funded.