Dutch Research Council: A call in favour of independent European investments in research and innovation

"Knowledge is hugely important for Europe: European investment and cooperation in knowledge help address societal challenges or cross-border problems and facilitate knowledge sharing. To this end, NWO, together with other Dutch knowledge organisations, stresses the importance of European investment in research and innovation", declares the Dutch Research Council (NWO) on 22/05/2025.

The Dutch organisation is taking a stand in favour of independent European investments in research and innovation, while the European Commission is working on a new proposal for the distribution of European funds within the EU for the period 2028-2034: the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

"There is a strong emphasis on European competitiveness. Therefore, there is a proposal within the EU for a new fund to promote competitiveness. Research would fall under this fund. There are concerns within the Dutch knowledge sector about whether this is a good idea", says NWO.

It reports that "the Dutch knowledge field is concerned that this would swallow up the entire budget for (scientific) research and…