In its report "Resilient and Future-Proof: The Power of Stable Large-Scale Investments in Research and Innovation," the AWTI (Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation) advocates for the creation of a new, large-scale, and strategic investment instrument. This instrument should focus on a limited number of carefully selected themes, such as digital resilience and energy security, and be funded annually with an additional investment of 0.5% of national income. The AWTI emphasizes that stable funding and collaboration between researchers, civil society organizations, government agencies, and the business community are essential for making the Netherlands resilient and future-proof.
The Netherlands faces significant societal challenges (such as healthcare, climate, energy, infrastructure, and mobility) that are complex and groundbreaking. According to the AWTI, true breakthroughs can only be achieved through strategic, consistent research and innovation on such crucial themes. The proposed additional investment will also actively involve the business community, allowing public and private investments to reinforce each other.
Holland High Tech endorses the advice
At Holland High Tech, we have been committed for years to collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutions, and social partners, with the aim of scaling up technological and social innovations. The AWTI proposal aligns seamlessly with this.
We see this advisory report as an opportunity to connect crucial themes such as energy, digitalization, and social infrastructure with high-tech innovation, thereby strengthening both sustainable impact and economic resilience. In doing so, Holland High Tech supports the call for structural investment in research and innovation.
