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On 29 April, the results of the evaluation research into the organisations for applied research (TO2) were sent to the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament.
Using the protocol for monitoring and evaluation of the Applied Research Organisations (EMTO-protocol), both the five TO2 organisations (TNO, WR, Deltares, NLR, and MARIN) and applied research in the Netherlands as a whole were evaluated on the criteria of quality, impact, and vitality.
The evaluation committee, chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. Wim van Saarloos, conducted the evaluation based on provided quantitative information, self-assessments, and a site visit. This committee consisted of an overarching evaluation committee and five sub-evaluation committees, one for each TO2. Dialogic, together with Technopolis and SEO, supported the evaluation committees in carrying out their task. The research resulted in five institutional reports (one per TO2) and a synthesis report on the entire TO2 research portfolio titled ‘Excellent applied research for societal missions’.
The reports show, among other findings, that overall the quality and impact of the work of the institutions is good to very good, and in some areas ranks among the world's best in their respective fields. The TO2 institutions successfully apply this knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society and industry. The vitality of the TO2 has significantly increased compared to the previous evaluation. Through increased government investment, tightening their strategies, and strengthening their workforce, nearly all TO2 have managed to enhance their knowledge base and focus their research more on the significant societal demand for targeted high-level knowledge and its translation into practice. The committee sees the financing of research infrastructure, for which a structural solution is currently lacking, as one of the most significant challenges. Another issue is the accessibility of the TO2 institutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. The TO2 evaluation committee makes various recommendations to address these (and other) challenges.