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Research - Netherlands

Updated 07/2009

Legal requirements

In accordance with the goals of the Lisbon Strategy, three per cent of GDP should be spent on Research & Development (R&D) by 2010. With this in mind, the Netherlands is encouraging businesses to invest in research and innovation with the aim of stimulating growth and employment.

The Promotion of Research and Development Act (WBSO) enables the Dutch government to compensate a proportion of businesses' research & development costs. The Act is applicable to any business in the Netherlands.

  • WBSO Nederlands

Alongside R&D, innovation is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage research.

Resources

             TechnoPartner   has an array of initiatives which are designed to improve the climate for business start-ups in the technology sector.

  • TechnoPartner Nederlands

The Innovation Voucher Subsidy Scheme is designed to bring business people into contact with knowledge centres, the aim being to harness existing knowledge in order to improve products, services and production processes.

Information from the Dutch government can be found on the Antwoordvoorbedrijven.nl website, which lists the various relevant dos and don'ts, e.g. licences and requirements, laws and regulations, taxes and subsidies.

  • Government information on subsidies, rules and licensing Nederlands
  • Information on subsidies for innovative projects Nederlands

Research can be commissioned from one of the Netherlands' nine 'science shops'. Attached to universities, they carry out research requests from all parties, start-up businesses included.

  • Science shops Nederlands

Programmes

The Small Business Innovation Research Programme (SBIR) helps SMEs to develop innovations which contribute to tackling social issues.

  • SBIR Nederlands

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

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The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local contact points. 

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Further help

Syntens is a frontline advisory body designed to help a business with its innovation strategy. Syntens is aimed at businesses employing up to 250 staff that are also willing and able to innovate in the following sectors: construction, food and agriculture, logistics and wholesale distribution, creative industry and multimedia, and human health.