In this paper, TNO writes that the Netherlands is facing major social challenges. New knowledge and technology are indispensable for this. The Dutch high-tech and manufacturing industry functions as an important innovation engine in this respect.
Long term focus
However, the Dutch innovation chain has a number of weaknesses. For example, scientific innovations are insufficiently converted into successful applications and economic and social value creation. With a greater focus on this so-called valorisation, applied research and a revaluation of entrepreneurship, our country can become more attractive for R&D investments. It is also important in the Netherlands to choose more precisely which technologies and key positions we deploy in often global value chains. With this long-term focus, innovation policy can contribute more to a safer, healthier, more sustainable and more prosperous Netherlands.
In brief
- Focus on strengthening the entire innovation chain, from fundamental research to valorisation and entrepreneurship
- Making long-term choices for key enabling technologies and key positions (control points) in new value chains
- SME focus on creating more scale-ups and sectors with lagging productivity growth
- Accelerating sustainability in industry with a joint system approach by companies, knowledge institutions and government with a focus on innovation and R&D
- Turning the National Growth Fund into a structural instrument that boosts the creation of new value chains and innovation ecosystems
- Achieve EU standard to invest 3% of GDP in R&D
- Let civil and defense investments in R&D reinforce each other
