The Netherlands is running up against its limits on various fronts, including care, climate, mobility, equality of opportunity, housing and infrastructure. This has consequences for the country's future resilience. A combination of these social challenges, if they are not resolved, can have a disruptive effect on society and the economy. Tackling them requires knowledge and innovation. AWTI advises the government and Parliament to develop an instrument that provides for large-scale, long-term, structural funding of research and innovation. This instrument would have a strategic focus and aimed at collaboration, backed by an annual investment of 0.5% of GDP. The main purpose of this instrument is to strengthen the resilience of Dutch society and the economy.

Public investment is crucial to foster processes and transitions, especially in areas where the market falls short. Through targeted investment in research and innovation, the government can not only stimulate sustainable economic growth, but can also help create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable society.

Make the Netherlands more resilient through strategic investments in research and innovation, with a focus on collaboration

AWTI underlines the importance of a future-proof Netherlands. In order to be future proof, Dutch society and the economy must be resilient; only then can the country deal with the consequences of social challenges. Research and innovation are indispensable in strengthening the resilience of Dutch society and the economy, because of the major contribution they make to a society which has well-being and a sustainable, circular economy at its heart, whilst respecting both the need to protect our planet and our competitiveness.

Beeld: © AWTI

Develop strategic, collaborative research and innovation platforms

AWTI advises the government and parliament to develop an instrument for the structural long-term funding of large scale research and innovation. This instrument would have a strategic focus and aimed at collaboration. The main purpose of this instrument is to strengthen the resilience of Dutch society and the economy.

The AWTI makes five recommendations in this regard:

  1. Select themes based on a vision for the future

  2. Set up a facilitating platform for each theme

  3. Encourage dynamic transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration

  4. Ensure stability and reliability whilst retaining democratic legitimacy

  5. Devote 0.5% of GDP to funding the instrument

The advice and recommendations are accompanied by explanatory notes and specific actions in the advisory report. The report, entitled ‘Resilient and future-proof – The power of stable, large-scale investment in research and innovation’, was presented to the Minister for Economic Affairs on 4 December 2025.