Innovation does not happen by itself. Between fundamental research and commercial application lies a crucial intermediate step: the development phase, in which ideas are turned into prototypes and researchers and companies work together to develop solutions. It is precisely this phase — technically referred to as TRL 1 to 6 — is at risk of falling between two stools: the Ministry of Education, Culture and Welfare invests in fundamental research, whilst the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate focuses on market innovations, but funding for the intervening development phase is lagging behind.
Perspective as a concrete example
The discontinuation of the NWO’s Perspectief programme illustrates this problem. The government decided to end its funding; the round due to open in 2026 will be the last. For twenty years, Perspectief fostered collaboration between researchers, businesses and civil society organisations around technology-driven innovation.
Appeal to the House of Representatives
NWO, supported by more than thirty organisations from the academic and business sectors, is calling on the House of Representatives to demand a concrete action plan to bridge the gap between fundamental research and market innovations. Without structural funding for the development phase, promising innovations will stall, partnerships will grind to a halt and the Netherlands’ earning capacity will come under pressure — precisely at a time when the government has set out its ambition to invest 3 per cent of GDP in research and innovation.
