The Netherlands

Facts & Figures

The Netherlands

Where

• The Netherlands

Research infrastructure

In 2019, The Netherlands had 97,713 full-time researchers. There are 84 higher education institutions in the Netherlands: 18 research universities, 40 universities of applied sciences, 4 institutes for international education, 10 university Colleges and 12 other institutions. A total of 23 research institutes are present in the Netherlands. From these 23 institutions, 8 are part of NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), 10 are part of KNAW (Koninklijke Nederlandse Academie van Wetenschappen) and 5 are part of GTI (institutes with the focus on applying fundamental research). There are 29 public knowledge organisations and 21,000 companies with investments in R&D.

Research funding

In 2018, the gross expenditures on research and development was €16.554 million, which comprises 2.1% of the country’s GDP. Most funding was spent in the business sector (66.4%), followed by higher education (27.7%) and government sector (5.9%).

Research strategy

What distinguishes Dutch science today can be explained by several factors: its external orientation, its non-hierarchical, open culture, the long track of record of successful research evaluations, and the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by institutes and individual researchers. To promote innovation and the development of new knowledge, there is active and close cooperation between government, the private sector, universities and the research institutions. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has come up with a Science Strategy called: 2025 – Vision for Science choices for the future. The government formulated a broad-based National Science Agenda where scientific strengths are directly linked to the social challenges. This strategic action aims to create or improve large-scale infrastructure and the development of a more responsive and dynamic system of institutions. Measures to promote scientific excellence, diversity and equality are part of talks with VSNU (The Association of Universities in the Netherlands). The agreement on a new framework also include other aspects, such as an updating of the current career paths structure, opportunities for young talent, more attention for teaching and the preparation of PhD students to pursue career opportunities in other sectors.

Women in science

Women in science are still underrepresented in the Netherlands. In 2010, the female-to-male ratio was 20%. The intent in the Dutch strategy is to rebalance this ratio to at least that of the European average by 2025. It also intends to promote the appointment of more women professors. Initiatives include for example the University of Groningen’s Rosalind Franklin Fellowship, which seeks to increase the number of women in senior tenured positions and which resulted in 65% of the Fellows in previous rounds to now hold an associate or full professorship.

Funding

The acquisition of indirect funding involves a high workload in preparing detailed research proposals while the percentage of proposals which are actually approved is relatively low. The government wishes to see less pressure to publish and acquire funding and keep the science of high quality.

Research governance, compliance and integrity

The Netherlands Research Integrity Network (NRIN) is responsible for promoting research integrity. It is intended for raising awareness, providing relevant information and discussing issues related to research integrity and responsible conduct of research. It also aims to facilitate collaboration, exchange and mutual learning by offering training and education for different audiences, developing and exchanging teaching materials and best practices, enabling of consultation and intervision, and providing advice to decision makers.

As for allegations of research misconduct, research institutions have Boards responsible for investigations. Institutions are affiliated with the Netherlands Board on Research Integrity (LOWI), an independent body, established by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU). The LOWI advises the Boards of its affiliated institutions, such as universities and research institutes, regarding possible violations of principles of research integrity. The LOWI’s task is to advise the Board on complaints concerning a (provisional) decision regarding the alleged violation of the principles of research integrity by one or more Defendants. The LOWI meetings are not open to the public but their opinions/conclusions are published on the LOWI website, in anonymised form.

The Netherlands has Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO) and 18 accredited Medical Research Committees (MRECs) that are responsible for reviewing medical scientific research with human subjects.

Whistleblowers are legally protected in The Netherlands. General protection of whistle-blowers is defined in the Dutch House for whistleblowers Act. Also, scientific integrity counsellors have been appointed at universities and KNAW and NWO institutes to provide assistance to whistleblowers and those accused of scientific misconduct.

National bodies for RE+RI	Scope
Netherlands Board on Research Integrity (LOWI)	The LOWI advises the Boards of its affiliated institutions regarding alleged violations of principles of research integrity.
The Netherlands Centre for Ethics and Health	The CEG identifies and informs about developments in the field of health which deserve a place on the government’s ethical policy agenda.
The Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects	The CCMO protects subjects taking part in medical research by reviewing the research on the basis of the statutory provisions laid down for them and taking into account the interests of medical progress.
The Central Committee on Animal Experimentation	The CCD is the only institution which can grant permits for animal experiments.
The Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification	The task of the Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification (COGEM Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification  ) is to advise the Minister of Infrastructure and Water either at the minister’s request or on its own initiative, with regard to the risks of GMOs for people and the environment.
The Netherlands Advice Committee on Animal Experimentation	The NCad achieves visible improvements that are specifically related to the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) of animal procedures and to the associated ethical review in scientific research (including applied scientific research) and teaching. Its goal, in doing so, is to minimize laboratory animal use at both national and international level.

Laws and regulations

Research infrastructure

In 1992 laws concerning higher education and research (WHW: Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek) were made to enhance quality, to innovate the capacity and targeting society.

Governance

In the Netherlands, there is a law which determines that the government has to act open. In other words, there are particular tasks which must be done in public. This is describes in detail in the ‘Wet openbaarheid van bestuur’.

Research with hazardous materials

It is important that research institutes/universities act transparent. In this way, the government can verify easily whether the research institute/university obey the law concerning hazardous materials. The goal of this law, The Nuclear Energy Act, is to protect employees, patients and other citizens against ionizing radiation.

Privacy

The ‘Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming’ contains the most important rules for handling personal data in the Netherlands. It is important that it is clear and transparent how and why personal data are processed. The goal of processing the personal data must be clarified before using the data.

Law	Scope
Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek	This law describes the following aspects of higher education and scientific research: planning and funding; consultation; personnel; supervision; accreditation in higher education; educational offer; education; collaboration of funded higher education institutions; management and organization of the universities, open university, academic hospitals and institutions for scientific research; appeal to the administrative judge; withholding of funding; compensation and penalties; transitional provisions, including in connection with the introduction of the law and regulations in connection with mergers, conversion, demergers, relocations and transfers of management; transitional and implementation provisions amending laws until 2002; transitional and implementation provisions amending laws from 2002.
Code goed bestuur universiteiten	The goal of this code is to create transparency of universities. In the code, the universities clarify how they implement the assignment and the scope that the law gives in the field of governance of universities. The code is based on 9 principles on the basis of which the directors and regulators of the universities affiliated with the VSNU give substance to good board.
Code voor het gebruik van persoonsgegevens in wetenschappelijk onderzoek	The code of conduct is an elaboration for researchers of the 2001 Personal Data Protection Act, which protects the privacy of Dutch citizens. This code offers researchers who work with privacy-sensitive data practical instructions on how to handle it responsibly. According to the code, no more data may be collected than is necessary for the investigation, and the data must be anonymised as much as possible. The code of conduct provides important guidelines that researchers use personal data only for research, that is, for a scientific publication, and that individuals should never be recognizable in that publication.
Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming	This law describes the most important rules for handling personal data in the Netherlands.
De Nederlandse Gedragscode wetenschappelijke Integriteit	The code of conduct defines five principles of academic integrity, 61 standards for good research practices and the institutions' duties of care. The five principles are: honesty; accuracy; transparency; independency; accountability.
Wet medisch-wetenschappelijk onderzoek met mensen	This law described the following aspects of medical scientific research with humans: rules for scientific research with participants; liability and insurance; obligations of those who conduct or conduct scientific research; additional rules for scientific research with medicines; the committees.
Embryowet	The embyo law descibes the following aspects: rules on the control of germ cells and embryos; rules concerning scientific research with embryos outside the human body that do not induce pregnancy; rules regarding scientific research with embryos outside the human body with the aim of inducing pregnancy; rules regarding scientific research with fetuses; prohibited actions with germ cells and embryos.
Geneesmiddelenwet	The Medicines Act describes the following aspects: the board for the evaluation of medicines; the manufacturer's license and the wholesale license; manufacturers and wholesalers of active substances; the marketing authorization for medicines; classification of drugs; handing over and prescribing medicines; labeling and package insert; pharmacovigilance; pharmaceutical advertising; enforcement: supervision and investigation.
Opiumwet	The Opium Act prohibits the possession of certain substances listed on Lists l and ll of the Opium Act. Their manufacture, preparation, processing, processing, sale, delivery, provision and transportation are also prohibited.
Wet op bijzondere medische verrichtingen	Some medical procedures are so special that only licensed licensed hospitals are allowed to perform them. This applies, for example, to open heart operations and certain organ transplants. This is stated in the Special Medical Procedures Act.
Wet op het bevolkingsonderzoek	In certain cases, a permit is required to carry out population screening. This law describes in which cases the permit is needed.
Wet openbaarheid van bestuur	The government fulfills public disclosure in the performance of its task. This is determined in Article 110 of the Constitution. In other words, the government observes transparency in the performance of its duties. Article 110 also determines that a law must describe how the government must do this. For example, the Wet openbaarheid bestuur (Wob) determines which information is public and when it must be provided to an applicant for information. The core objective of the Wob is to regulate the public nature of the administration and the provision of information. This is for the benefit of good and democratic governance.
De Kernenergiewet	The Nuclear Energy Act lays the foundation for protection against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The rules of the Nuclear Energy Act protect employees, patients and other citizens against this radiation as much as possible. The Nuclear Energy Act does this by, among other things, requiring a permit for most activities involving sources of ionizing radiation.
Kwaliteitswet zorginstellingen	All healthcare institutions must provide care that meets certain quality requirements. This law describes these requirements, ho wit is enforced and what the sanctions are if the requirements are not met.
Regeling basisveiligheidsnormen stralingsbescherming	The Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection Regulation is a General Administrative Order (AMvB). It elaborates on the Nuclear Energy Act and aims to protect the population, employees and patients against the adverse effects of ionizing radiation.
Wet op de dierproeven	The goals of this law are: strengthen the protection of animals used for scientific purposes; restore a level playing field for industry and scientific research in the EU; the treatment and use of animals for scientific purposes should be subject to the Three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement).
Good clinical practice	Good clinical practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, recording and reporting trials that involve the participation of human subjects. Compliance with this standard provides public assurance that the rights, safety and wellbeing of trial subjects are protected and that clinical-trial data are credible. In addition, this standard ensures that the data obtained from clinical research is reliable.

Measures to promote good scientific practices and open science

RI training

Some elements of RI are a part of university educational programmes. There are some mandatory training courses for PhD students evaluated and monitored by universities.

Materials used for these trainings are:

European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity translated into Dutch

Responsible research data management and the prevention of scientific misconduct by Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013)

Van Der Heijden, P. F. (2010). Wetenschappelijke integriteit en de universiteit. In P. J. D. Drenth (Ed.), Wetenschappelijke integriteit (pp. 39–44). Amsterdam: KNAW.

Israel M., Drenth P. (2015) Research Integrity: Perspectives from Australia and Netherlands. In: Bretag T. (eds) Handbook of Academic Integrity. Springer, Singapore.

RI dialogue and communication

The Netherlands Research Integrity Network (NRIN) enables sharing of experiences, exchange of knowledge and materials, mutual learning and intervision for several audiences via closed and open meetings. Closed meetings are intended for confidential counsellors and ombudsmen, or for chairs of research integrity investigation committees, whereas open meetings include research conferences and education seminar.

In the Netherlands, different forms of communication take place concerning science knowledge. People can visit scientific museums like NEMO science museum in Amsterdam. There are scientific festivals to visit like the Open science festival in Amsterdam and also podcasts about science are available.

According to the results of 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 surveys on Dutch institutions, the public has the most trust in the scientific community. For example, the survey from 2021 showed that on a scale from 1 (absolutely no trust) to 10 (complete trust) the public trust in science was 7.4.

Research integrity is occasionally discussed in the lay press. This is usually related to cases of research fraud and academic corruption.

RI incentives

There are rewards for collaborative science and incentives for networks. Ethics assessment is regulated by statutory organisations which are authorised to formulate policies for all public research institutes. An overarching body of legislation consists of the four codes that have been established by the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), which are the codes on personal data, scientific integrity, animal experiments, and good governance.

Initiatives	Scope
Training courses for PhD students	Training
Standard Evaluation Protocol (SEP)	Accreditation
NWO Spinoza Prize	Support
NWO Stevin Prize	Support

Guidelines

The Netherlands

A total of 6 guidelines were found. Add a Guideline.

• The Dutch Code on Prevention of Undue Influence through Conflicts of Interest (September 2022)
• Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (September 2022)
• The Netherlands Code of Conduct for Academic Practice (February 2022)
• INSPIRE Checklist (October 2020)
• Netherlands Standard Evaluation Protocol for Research Assessments (October 2020)

... further results

Ana Marusic, Andrijana Perković Paloš, Elsa Amin contributed to this report. Latest contribution was Nov 05, 2021