The Advisory council for science, technology and innovation (AWTI) advises the Dutch government and parliament on policy in the areas of scientific research, technological development and innovation.
Publications
Below you will find the english publications by AWTI published from 2000.
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2022
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The combination of geopolitical, technological, and societal trends is making international collaboration between knowledge institutes increasingly complex. The rewards are many, but there are risks, too. Governments and knowledge institutes have taken a number of steps in recent years to mitigate these risks. While these steps have been useful, the rapid pace of developments constantly throws up new challenges. Therefore, the AWTI identifies a need for a learning approach, with ongoing attention for nuance and more awareness-raising.
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Interdisciplinarity is crucial in research. It leads to scientific breakthroughs and opens the way for solutions to complex societal problems. Given its strong starting position, the Netherlands could set an example in Europe in helping to forge a more effective policy on interdisciplinary research in the Netherlands and beyond. To explore this, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science put the following question to the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI): How can the government encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary research more effectively, given the current challenges facing society?
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2021
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New knowledge is vital to keep the economy healthy and resolve societal challenges. Key here is that businesses can benefit from the knowledge developed by knowledge institutes. Whilst that does happen at present, it is not yet optimal. The government would therefore do well to take specific measures to strengthen the links between researchers and entrepreneurs, enabling opportunities to be grasped from a basis of knowledge.
Click here for the summary of the advice and the advisory report.
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In this report the Dutch Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) addresses the following question: What can central government do to strengthen the innovative power of the Netherlands as a whole by helping to increase the innovative power of each individual region?
Click here for the summary of the advice.
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The Netherlands is a country rich in knowledge, but there are challenges in ensuring that government policy is always properly informed by that knowledge. As a result, the Netherlands is missing out on opportunities to make policy more effective and improve its public services. Although the government has taken some steps on the path to better embedding of knowledge, much more needs to be done. That is the subject of this report.
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2020
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The climate for start-ups in the Netherlands has improved in recent years, but the growth of knowledge-intensive start-ups after the initial phase falters, especially compared with other countries such as the US, UK or Israel. Upon request of the Dutch parliament, AWTI analysed why too few knowledge-intensive start-ups progress to become scale-ups and advises what can be done to improve the growth of knowledge-intensive start-ups.
Read the advisory report A better start. -
The Netherlands is a prosperous country with a flourishing economy. However, as a nation we face a number of urgent societal challenges in areas such as food, healthcare, mobility, safety and sustainability. Goal-oriented societal transitions are urgently needed on these and other fronts, and have to some extent already been initiated. Science, technology and innovation (STI) could play a stronger, more effective role in this process. That is the subject of this report.
Read the advisory report Strengthen the role of science, technology and innovation in societal transitions -
Key technologies deliver ground-breaking innovations which help progress on all fronts. They lead to better medical care, cleaner transport and more efficient and cleaner production. Key technologies thus have a major and unassailable impact on science, society and the economy. However, their development also raises questions and concerns, for example in relation to safety and privacy.
Read the advisory report A more forceful choice for key technologies
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2019
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Global competition in higher education and research is growing. New developments impose ever-changing demands on workers and offer opportunities for a major shake-up of education and research. Student numbers have increased sharply and the system is becoming overloaded. Is the Dutch higher education and research system adequately prepared for the future? What do all these developments require of Dutch universities (universiteiten) and universities of applied sciences (hogescholen)?
Read the advisory report Shaking-up the system
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2018
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The Netherlands has a long tradition of innovation; past innovations have made a visible contribution to the wealth of the country; and today one of the great strengths of the Dutch is still the ability to develop new products, services and processes. In order to be of genuine value for the economy and society, however, innovations must also be able to spread readily and widely, so they can be used by lots of people and organisations. That is the focus of this report.
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India is an emerging global power. It has a relatively young and growing population of 1.3
billion, equivalent to 18% of the total world population. India is the biggest democracy in
the world, located in a region marked by tensions. Consequently, it is a country which
occupies a key geopolitical position.Read the Advisory Letter Focus on India
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2017
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Applied research is concerned with finding solutions to practical problems and issues confronting society. It is essential for strengthening the innovative capacity of industry, for tackling challenges relating to social renewal and for improving the quality of government policy.
Read de summary of the report Vital links.
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The Netherlands is losing ground to its neighbours in its support of the internationalisation of science, technology and innovation (‘STI diplomacy’). This will hamper the competitiveness of the Netherlands, as it will become more difficult to attract and retain talent, while R&D will more and more shift to other countries. Therefore, in its advisory report “STI Diplomacy”, AWTI calls upon the Dutch government to strengthen its STI diplomacy by establishing a clear strategy and expanding the instruments and available budget.
Read the report STI Diplomacy
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2016
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The time is ripe for substantial extra investments in research and innovation. Extra investments are essential for the future of the Netherlands and for its international position as a leader in innovation and a centre for top research.
Read de summary of the report Maintain the basics.
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In its energy policy, the Dutch government must give greater focus to innovation. In particular, breakthrough innovations should be supported via a mission-oriented approach. This is crucial for achieving the transition to a sustainable energy supply.
Read the summary of the report Grasp the challenge
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Status of the Dutch Top Sectors policy for research and innovation in 2016.
Read the summary of the report Flexibility, differentiation, sharper choices
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Knowledge absorptive capacity is the ability to identify, assimilate and utilise relevant knowledge. It enables research institutes to generate new knowledge and businesses to innovate.
Read the summary of the report Capturing, processing and valorizing knowledge
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This advisory report is about open science, and more specifically about access to scholarly publications (open access) and research data (open research data). What impact is this likely to have for the world of science itself, for society and for business? What level of openness is publicly desirable and what does this imply for government policy?
Read the report Dare to share.
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2015
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This study describes aspects of Brazil’s knowledge and innovation system that affect Dutch-Brazilian cooperation in the field of research, technology and innovation. Extra attention is given to Brazilian-Dutch cooperation in the sectors: agriculture, biomass; water, life sciences (health care) and aeronautics. This selection is by no means a complete overview but rather intended as a first impression of the possibilities for Dutch-Brazilian cooperation.
Read the report 'Collaborate to innovate'.
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All technological developments that matter, are depending on ICT. ICT changes the character of our economy, our work and our lives. Without ICT there is no knowledge society. Yet, the great importance of ICT receives too little attention from policymakers.
Read the advisory report 'Ready for the Future? Towards a broad ICT strategy'.
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In this report the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) addresses the question of how policy can help ensure that the relationship between teaching and research in Dutch higher education makes a strong(er) contribution to the quality of both teaching and research and to the future prospects of students.
Read the summary of the repport 'The relationship between teaching and research in higher education'
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In this report, the Council addresses the question how SMEs and universities of applied sciences can improve their knowledge partnerships.
Read the summary of the report 'SMEs and Universities of Applied Sciences'.
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2014
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In this report the Advisory council for science, technology and innovation (AWTI) indicates ways in which Dutch central and regional government can support regional hotspots for innovation and thus help increase their prosperity.
Read the summary of the report 'Regional innovation hotspots'.
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The purpose of this status report is to provide input for effective adjustments to the top sector policy.
Read the summary of the report 'Status of the top sectors in 2014'.
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Dutch public research institutes and public research funders have far-reaching freedom in determining their research policy. The inter-relationships between the autonomous Dutch research institutes are marked by a mix of maintaining a distance at the institutional level, competing for staff, students and resources at the faculty and discipline level, and collaboration. In recent years, the national government has restricted itself to developing preconditions and funding without a great deal of steering.
Read the summary of the report 'Standing out from the crowd'.
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The Council adviced the Dutch government on how to increase the innovative and growth capacity of SMEs. The Council adviced to focus specifically on so-called 'growth-drivers': companies with the ambition and potential to innovate and grow. For these companies, effective ecosystems are essential.
Read the summary of the report 'Growth-drivers'.
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AWT sees social innovation as a collective term for contemporary initiatives by people and organizations focussed on devising innovative solutions to societal problems. Interest in social innovation is growing worldwide and expectations are high. The AWT was asked for advice: What exactly does social innovation mean, and does the government have a role to play in this regard?
Read the summary of the report 'The power of social innovation'.
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2013
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What will the knowledge society of the future look like? What does internationalization mean in the context of knowledge, research, technology and innovation? The AWT intends to provide input and inspiration for the debate in politics and society on the future of the knowledge society. Based on its analysis, it has formulated four recommendations to help make Dutch policy on knowledge and innovation more strategic and future-proof.
Read the report.
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Citizens, the business community, scientists and academics, and the government are all facing serious societal challenges. But in addition to presenting us with problems, these challenges are also opportunities to be seized. For businesses, they are the markets of the future. For ambitious entrepreneurs, they represent the opportunity to create new value. For creative scientists and academics, they are a path towards recognition by peers and wider society. For citizens, they are an invitation to become involved in the development of a safer, more sustainable and healthier society. And for government, societal challenges are both a call and an opportunity to redefine the meaning of public service. The government’s new role might be one of participant and supporter, broker or coordinator of a mutual approach, or even as an entrepreneurial trailblazer. In today’s world, challenges in society call for a government with the expert knowledge required to inspire and motivate, confident in its role and consistent in its policy.
Read the report.
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Worldwide, the demand for knowledge workers is growing faster than ever before. There are currently many signs of an imbalance between supply and demand for knowledge workers on the labour market. The Council adviced the government on how to improve the coordination of supply and demand on the labour market.
Read the report.
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This report addresses the question which strategy the Netherlands should follow with regard to public investments in large-scale research facilities and optimal use of these facilities. The Ministers of Education, Culture, and Science, and of Economic Affairs asked the AWT to develop this report, taking account of current policies to promote specialisation in Dutch universities and research institutes, industrial policies to promote ‘top sectors’, current developments in European research policy, and the greater emphasis in European policy making on regional specialisation.
Read the report.
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2012
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Innovations are increasingly occurring in value chains of raw materialproduct-service-user. This development requires skills at companies other than only the ability to invent and develop new technology. Other forms of innovation are becoming more important, such as new interactions with users and new joint venture partners, organisational structures and/or revenue models. The current innovation policy focusses too strongly on stimulating technological innovation. The AWT therefore advocates expanding the paradigm underlying the innovation policy. Science and technology alone are not enough, the government must also value services and, to this end, must review the intervention logic of the innovation policy.
Read the report.
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The AWT advices the Dutch government on their policy to strenghten the scientific and technological cooperation between China and the Netherlands.
Read the report.
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2011
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On request of AWT, International Top Talent prepared a background study on the vision of Chinese parties on knowledge cooperation with the Netherlands.
Read the report.
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European policy has developed apace over the last decade. The Lisbon strategy launched in 2000 was replaced in 2010 by a new strategy, Europe 2020, in which the role of research and innovation is more pivotal than ever. That research and innovation strategy was developed as part of one of Europe's flagship initiatives, the Innovation Union.
Read the summary.
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Rapidly growing innovative companies make an important contribution to the development of the Dutch economy. These companies often rely on external funding. Raising private capital is relatively difficult, however, especially for new innovative companies.
Read the summary.
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2010
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Essays on finance and innovation.
Read the report.
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2000 - 2009
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Innovation policy for the public sector.
Read the report.
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Strategic investment in focal points.
Read the report.
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Science and innovation policy in outline.
Read the report.
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Policies for 'valorisation' of the humanities and social sciences.
Read the report.
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Internationalisation of R&D as a policy challenge.
Read the report.
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Policy for Open innovation.
Read the report.
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Practice, developments, motivations and barriers in SMEs.
Read the report.
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In the summer of 2005 AWT organised an essay competition on the subject of 'Open Innovation', because the Council is in the process of preparing recommendations on the subject. Open innovation refers to the trend whereby companies are innovating more and more as part of networks, i.e. in conjunction with other companies, universities, users and customers. To prepare these recommendations, AWT is investigating how the government policy should be geared to this development.
Read the report.
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More investment in education and research.
Read the report.
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Innovation policy for services.
Read the report.
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The function and place of research activities in universities of professional education.
Read the report.
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Knowledge utilisation in the SME sector.
Read the report.
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Policy for knowledge.
Read the report.
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The economic importance of university research.
Read the report.
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The behaviour of innovative service providers in seven sectors.
Read the report.
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Competences in supply chain management as a competitive factor for Dutch companies.
Read the report.
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Renewing innovation policy.
Read the report.
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Matching research subsidies in knowledge institutions.
Read the report.
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Strategic framework for the internationalisation of research and innovation policy.
Read the report.
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The absorption and utilisation of knowledge by the business sector.
Read the report.
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Shaping Dutch bilateral research policy.
Read the report.
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Promoting Multidisciplinary Research.
Read the report.
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From generic technology policy to active innovation policy.
Read the report.
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Accounting for university research.
Read the report.
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Synergy between public research and the kowledge-based society in the Netherlands.
Read the report.
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Interviews about "Netherlands as knowledge land".
Read the report.
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An analysis of trends and perspectives in higher education and research.
Read the report.
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Perspective on the Barcelona ambition of '3% GDP for R&D'.
Read the report.
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Stimulating Dutch participation: profit and policy.
Read the report.
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Perspectives on cultural changes in an increasingly digital age.
Read the report.
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Foresight study of research into crime and crime prevention in 2010.
Read the report.
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Changing strategies for business innovation.
Read the report.
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Exchange of knowledge between colleges of higher professional education and the professional world (in cooperation with the Education Council).
Read the report.
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Prospects for intellectual property rights in the information society.
Read the report.
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University patenting policy for the benefit of utilising knowledge.
Read the report.
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Intellectual property rights in a knowledge based economy.
Read the report.
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Report of the foresight committee 'Knowledge for the network economy'.
Read the report.
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A comparative study of (binary) structures in nine countries.
Read the report.
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Knowledge and innovation challenges for a watery Netherlands. Advice and Foresight study of AWT, NRLO and RMNO.
Read the report.
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Knowledge and innovation challenges for a watery Netherlands. Background document of advisory report 45.
Read the report.
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Investing in research.
Read the report.
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Report of the foresight committee for construction.
Read the report.
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Under-utilisation of female potential as an existential problem for the academic world.
Read the report.
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