Europe
The umcs are prospecting far beyond the Dutch borders. They participate in European research and innovation projects, and often act as the coordinator of international research consortia.
European research policy
Horizon Europe is the current framework program (2021-2027) in which the umcs work with European partners on research and innovation. Horizon Europe works with three pillars:
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Excellent Science. Goal: getting the science in Europe to the top level and keeping it there.
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Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness. Goal: address the major challenges that the EU and the world are struggling with, like those named in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Innovative Europe. Goal: strengthen the competitiveness of the EU.
The liaison officers of the umcs are alert to the annual prioritization within the work programs. They also think along about the design, conditions and content. During evaluations and interim evaluations, they share their experiences and expertise with, among others, the European Commission and Dutch ministries, so that the framework program can be further optimized.
The umcs are active participants in the research and innovation projects. Within Societal Challenge Health of the recent Horizon2020 framework programme, the Netherlands is in third place (after the United Kingdom and Germany) in successfully obtaining European subsidies. Participation in Horizon Europe has also been positive from the start.
Neth-ER
Together with its knowledge partners, the NFU is also participating in Neth-ER (Netherlands house for Education and Research). This association was founded to inform the Dutch field of knowledge about the European policy developments in the field of research, innovation and education. It accomplishes this through a range of diverse events and publications. With a joint team in Brussels, Neth-ER is trying in various ways to actively influence European policy, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the European Research Area.
