With the phasing out of the National Growth Fund (NGF), important funding for stimulating economic growth and innovation is coming to an end. To stimulate and maintain the innovative power of the Netherlands, including the promising national projects that were in preparation for round 4, top sectors and TKIs presented the bid book Investing in the innovative power and earning capacity of the Netherlands to Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs today. This morning, the bidbook was the start of a further dialogue to look together at an alternative to these innovation plans and the efforts needed to realise them.

Minister Beljaarts (EZ) on handing over the bid book:"Investments in knowledge, technology and innovation are crucial: the government wants 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) to be spent on research and development by 2030. This is why we are investing an extra €900 million through Invest-NL next year in innovative SMEs and the growth of promising startups. The subsidy for Wet Bevordering Speur- en Ontwikkelingswerk (WBSO) will rise to EUR 1.5 billion in 2025. This will allow companies to pay less tax for their research and development and to innovate more cheaply. Moreover, in the coming years we expect the first great results from the 51 National Growth Fund projects in which we are investing over 11 billion."

Solve big tasks now
The Netherlands' productivity is growing slower than before and other countries are becoming increasingly competitive. Moreover, recent geopolitical developments emphasise the need to become less dependent on foreign countries. The Netherlands faces major challenges to maintain its prosperity in these times of limited opportunities for public investment in research and innovation. We must therefore continuously work on strengthening our economy, including with the business community and SMEs, so that our country remains attractive to live and do business in.

The National Growth Fund has been phased out, removing an important instrument for stimulating economic growth and innovation. The top sectors and TKIs are calling on the Schoof cabinet, in particular the Minister of Economic Affairs, to work together on an alternative plan with other investment arrangements and return agendas. They engage in discussions on a collaboration between departments, top sectors, their many public and private (consortia) partners and other investors and financiers so that projects that are ready or being developed in the near future can go ahead. Click here for the bid book, letter and follow-up steps for the Netherlands' innovative strength.

"Investing in innovation is investing in the future of the Netherlands. We are convinced that all parties - government, business, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations - are crucial to maintain the competitive and innovative strength of the Netherlands and to strengthen our vital sectors, now and in the future. Of course, we aim to get as much impact as possible from the current growth fund projects and are happy to work together on an alternative plan to also support the new innovation plans and enable new financing opportunities, public and private."

Providers, Top Sectors and TKIs

National Growth Fund in figuresBetween 2021 and 2024, the government has invested €11.3 billion in projects through the National Growth Fund, and this has been matched by businesses, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations with a total of €12.6 billion. Each investment euro is estimated to yield €5.80 in returns until 2040 (Rabobank, 2024).

Among the ten top sectors and TKI Construction and Engineering

TKI Construction and Engineering

Topsector Agri & Food

Topsector Chemie

Topsector Creatieve Industrie

Top sector Energy

Topsector High Tech Systemen & Materialen

ICT Topsector

Topsector Life Sciences & Health

Top sector Logistics

Top sector Horticulture & Starting materials

Top sector Water & Maritime