€19 Million Boost for Dutch Technological Innovations Tackling Global Challenges

€19 Million Boost for Dutch Technological Innovations Tackling Global Challenges

(IN BRIEF) Four research consortia have been awarded nearly €19 million through the NWO Perspectief programme to advance technological innovations addressing societal challenges. Supported by funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and contributions from 37 partner organizations, these projects span diverse fields, including AI for industrial automation, home-based cardiac care, decarbonizing seaports, and improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The programme fosters collaboration between researchers, SMEs, and other stakeholders to align with the Dutch National Technology Strategy and drive impactful innovations. By 2050, these projects aim to deliver solutions with significant societal and economic benefits.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 28-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Four research consortia have been awarded nearly €19 million through the NWO Perspectief programme to tackle pressing societal challenges through groundbreaking technological innovations. These initiatives aim to deliver national and global impact, with projects ranging from home-based cardiac monitoring technologies to advanced AI solutions for enhancing the Dutch high-tech sector.

This funding includes nearly €13 million from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, supplemented by over €6 million contributed by 37 partnering organizations, including 17 SMEs. These resources will support 74 researchers at universities and universities of applied sciences, boosting the Netherlands’ technological innovation landscape.

Focusing on Societal Challenges and Key Technologies

All selected projects align with the Dutch government’s National Technology Strategy (NTS), addressing challenges like the European Green Deal and the European Accessibility Act. For instance, one project explores AI-driven methods to accelerate energy transition in Dutch ports, while another seeks to enhance public service accessibility using AI and virtual reality. These initiatives highlight the transformative role of AI and other key technologies in addressing societal needs.

Strengthening Collaboration Between Industry and Academia

For over 15 years, the NWO Perspectief programme has facilitated cooperation between researchers and industry to drive social and economic impact. Minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs emphasized the importance of such collaborations, stating, “The Netherlands must maintain its leading position in knowledge and innovation. Facilitating partnerships between researchers and innovative SMEs is essential for health, safety, and economic prosperity.”

Margot Weijnen, chair of NWO’s Applied and Engineering Sciences domain, also praised the programme’s potential, noting that the projects consistently bring transformative technologies closer to practical application through collaboration with industry stakeholders.

Funded Projects and Their Goals

1. CardiacCare@Home
   Researchers aim to enhance cardiac rehabilitation by developing home-monitoring technologies for patients with heart failure. These tools detect early signs of cardiac deterioration, allowing clinicians to intervene promptly, improving patients’ quality of life while reducing hospital workload and healthcare costs.
2. Foundation for Industry (FIND)
   This consortium is building advanced AI models to automate complex industrial tasks, improving robustness and privacy while enabling use on edge devices like smartphones. These AI solutions will support high-tech industries, healthcare, and chip manufacturing, strengthening the Dutch industrial landscape.
3. PortCall.Zero
   Targeting carbon neutrality in European seaports by 2050, this project uses AI to optimize port operations, including ship scheduling, renewable energy integration, and onshore power usage. Demonstrations in Rotterdam and Moerdijk aim to save 150 million tons of annual emissions and sustain port revenues critical to the Dutch economy.
4. TACIT (Inclusive Technologies for Access and Social Participation)
   Focusing on accessibility, TACIT develops AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality technologies to enhance digital services for people with disabilities, aligning with the European Accessibility Act. The project promotes social inclusion through participatory design and human-computer interaction methods.

About the Perspectief Programme

Managed by NWO’s Applied and Engineering Sciences domain, the Perspectief programme fosters innovative technologies that strengthen the Dutch knowledge economy and address societal challenges. By integrating key technologies and prioritizing digitalization, the programme aligns with the Dutch government’s mission-driven innovation policy, contributing to sustainable and inclusive solutions for a better future.

About Perspectief

Perspectief is an NWO programme funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and executed by the NWO domain Applied and Engineering Sciences. The objective of Perspectief is to (further) develop innovative technologies that strengthen the (international) positioning of the Dutch knowledge and innovation system. These technologies contribute to solutions for societal challenges and can simultaneously contribute to our economy.

The Perspectief programme aligns with the five societal themes and the deployment of key technologies and digitalisation from the mission-driven innovation policy of the Dutch government.

Media Contacts:

Ms. dr. ir. Anke Stekelenburg (Perspectief)
Senior programme officer
+31 (0)30 6001314
ttw-perspectief@nwo.nl

Jennifer Bendsneijder
Spokesperson
+31 6 47141061
j.bendsneijder@nwo.nl

Source: NWO