The document discusses the structure and functions of Dutch higher education, highlighting the roles of research universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS) in providing professional education and applied research. UAS educate a significant portion of students and focus on demand-driven research in collaboration with private and public sectors to foster innovation. The Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA) is outlined as a funding body supporting applied research initiatives, with various financial instruments available for enhancing innovation and cooperation among institutions.

1. National Taskforce for Applied Research
Arjan Koeslag
The Hague, 25 May 2016

2. Dutch Higher Education
• 14 research universities
• 250.000 students
• 37 universities of applied sciences (UAS)
• 500.000 students
• Research universities and UAS legally three tasks
• Education, Research, Knowledge
• UAS
• Professional education
• Applied research
• Application of knowledge

3. Role of UAS & applied research
Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)
• Educate 2/3 of higher education students (mainly BA level, but also MA
and some doctorates)
• Provide applied knowledge in close cooperation with private (SME)
and public sector
OECD Innovation Review The Netherlands (2014)
• UAS important for innovation skills and bridging gap between non-
innovative firms and research universities

4. Dutch Higher Education
Two types of universities:
(1) Research universities (‘curiosity-driven’)
Prepare for ‘scientific career’
(2) Universities of applied sciences (professional practice)
Prepare for ‘professional career’
Recent relevant developments (2001):
UAS’s become tasked with:
Applied research Internationalisation
37 Universities of
Applied
Sciences
Education
500k
20k
Students
lecturers
Research
600
3,5k
35k
Professors
Researchers
Student-
research
projects

5. Research at Universities of
Applied Sciences
Five key characteristics
1. Demand-driven research on real-life
challenges in society
2. Multidisciplinary character of the
research in co-operation with
research universities
3. Link between research and
education
4. Cooperation between researchers,
companies and professionals in
executing the research in real-life
practice
5. Application of research and
knowledge in real-life practice

6. Funding applied research system
• 37 UAS with 600 professors (head of researchers)
• Block funding from Ministry of Education (OCW)
• Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA)
• Competitive funds: €30 per year from OCW
• Centres of Expertise (around 25) at UAS
• Pilots: initial funding performance agreements with OCW
• Goal: Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding

7. SIA: Taskforce for
Applied Research
The budget:
€ 30 million per annum
The organization:
Small office at Utrecht:
15 fixed staff
150+ network partners
Governing Board:
Confederation of Industry and
Employers, Organisation of SME’s,,
Organisation for Applied Scientific
Research, Chambers of Commerce,
Association of Universities of Applied
Sciences

8. Funding instruments SIA
Over 600 professors (heads of research groups) can apply for:
RAAK:
(1) RAAK–SME/Public: co-operation of UAS’s, SME’s or Public
Organisations: enhancing innovation-capabilities (max € 300k)
(2) RAAK-PRO: co-operation of UAS’s, SME’s and/or Public
Organisations: conducting applied research as to renew and improve a
professional state of the art. (max € 700k)
KIEM:
• Small projects aiming at starting off new potential projects and/or
concrete innovations (max € 30k)
PLATFORMS:
• Development of joint vision, research roadmaps and actionplans for
various research disciplines (max € 100k)

9. SIA: National Taskforce for
Applied Research
Knowing is not enough: we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 -1832)

10. Invitation to connect
Part of Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
Utrecht, The Netherlands
+ 31 (0) 30 6331 456
secretariaat@regieorgaan-sia.nl
www.regieorgaan-sia.nl
@kennisbundel