TNO Presents Strategy 2015-2018 to Parliament

Minister Kamp of Economic Affairs, coordinating minister, sent the TNO strategy for 2015-2018 to the House accompanied by the government’s response. The Strategic Plan “Trends Transitions TNO” focuses its activities on five transitions that connect to the ambitions of the top sectors and social themes in the Netherlands and Europe.

Challenges are global, and the solutions are too. Knowledge must rapidly be scaled and applied. Indeed, the developments go faster and bringing the knowledge to value (valorisation) should therefore accelerate. The challenges demand different kinds of knowledge about technology and behavior and their integration. TNO sees new forms of cooperation and opportunities for fundamental changes in society. The transitions, which are determined in close consultation with our stakeholders are a reflection of those trends. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to the success of TNO’s contribution to the transitions.

The five transitions that TNO will focus on:
• Industry: from economic stagnation to growth in high-tech industries
• Healthy Living: from illness and care to health and behavior
• Defense and Security: from multifarious threats to manageable risks
• Environment: from bottlenecks by urbanization to vital urban regions
• Energy: from conventional sources to renewable energy

The plan describes in outline the transitions that are in line with the top sectors and the European Horizon 2020 program. Later this year, these transitions, focusing on the sustainable strengthening of the welfare of society and the competitiveness of Dutch companies will be completed with roadmaps in more detail.

The new strategy TNO provides four types to achieve the creation of innovations:
• Early Research Programs: Develop knowledge with our own money and in collaboration with partners that in the long term can lead to applications
• Shared Innovation Programs: Larger long-term open innovation programs with national and international parties
• Contract Research: 100% paid-for answering questions from public or private parties in the Netherlands and internationally
• Assigned tasks: For example, Defense and the Geological Survey Netherlands

TNO sees that innovation is formed more and more in partnerships because of the innovation landscape becomes more and more complex. Different knowledge domains will work closely together. Finally, the success of innovations will be measured by the economic and social value of the solutions for society.