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Netherlands House for Education and Research (Neth-ER)

Neth-ER

Neth-ER represents Dutch education and research organizations in Brussels, informing members about EU policy and positioning them in dialogue with European institutions.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer and

28 Jan 2026 · Stakeholder dialogue on establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034

Meeting with René Repasi (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

9 Dec 2025 · Horizon Europe

Meeting with René Repasi (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

20 Nov 2025 · Neth-ER Network Conference ‘Double Knowledge’

Meeting with Ton Diepeveen (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Nov 2025 · Kennismaking met UMC's Nederland

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and European Consortium of Innovative Universities

23 Oct 2025 · Informal exchange

Response to European Innovation Act

2 Oct 2025

The Dutch knowledge sector, represented by Neth-ER, welcomes the Commissions initiative to propose a European Innovation Act to create an innovation-friendly environment in Europe. Scaling up innovation efforts is crucial for the EU to compete with global players such as the US and China, promote knowledge transfer, and tackle societal challenges. In order to create this environment, the role of the full quadruple helix science, industry, government, and society must be included in the Act. It is appreciated that the Act encompasses both large and small players, but it could not be emphasized more that the entire innovation landscape should be included: Public research-performing organisations, universities, universities of applied sciences (UAS) and RTOs play vital roles in bringing research to market and bridging the valley of death. Neth-ER supports the attention for these actors in the consultation but stresses that their role should be considered more broadly. In addition to addressing the valley of death, it is crucial that the Innovation Act also recognises the challenges in an even earlier phase of the innovation chain. Many ideas from universities and research institutions lack sufficient pre-seed funding to reach proof-of-concept stage. Without support here, promising ideas fail before becoming startups. Neth-ER encourages the inclusion of research and technology-infrastructures in the public consultation. Empowering infrastructures is a key pillar to the fifth freedom pursued under the ERA Act. Access to infrastructures must be balanced between research and knowledge organisations, and the private sector, while safeguarding research security and intellectual property. Different approaches are needed for startups versus large industrial players and must be carefully considered. Hurdles that public research and knowledge organisations face under EU state aid rules must also be considered: such as determining pricing, clarifying access, and managing demand where facilities already run at or beyond capacity. Neth-ER is pleased to see the attention for regulatory sandboxes in the public consultation. Expanding them will give investors greater security and allow innovative solutions to be tested in controlled environments. Public research and knowledge institutions should gain access to these regulatory sandboxes and receive adequate support. Giving sense of security will help boost public and private investments in R&I and support the EU and its Member States in reaching the 3% GDP target to be included under the ERA Act. In this regards, Neth-ER also urges the Commission ensure strong synergies between the Innovation Act and the ERA Act. Clear frameworks for cross-border regulatory sandboxes are needed to ensure investors confidence and enable testing of emerging technologies under harmonised conditions. Regulation must be primarily simplified at EU level, while leaving flexibility for Member States to tailor implementation to local industrial contexts. In this regard, Neth-ER also supports the introduction of an optional EU-wide 28th regime to harmonise rules and reduce fragmentation across the Single Market. Overall, stronger coordination of innovation policies and programmes is desired. Public procurement should also be leveraged by adapting rules in pilot projects, creating innovation-friendly tender criteria, and introducing an innovation procurement score for public bodies. On talent, the Commission should link the Innovation Act with education. Educational institutions nurture talent and foster entrepreneurial mindsets. Initiatives under Erasmus+ contribute to this. The Commission must take into account the role all parts of the education value chain have here from universities, to universities of applied sciences and VET providers especially when it comes to knowledge transfer to technical personnel, students and collaborative partners such as SMEs.
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Neth-ER urges clearer state aid rules for education and research

2 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission is revising rules exempting certain state aid from prior notification and approval.
Message — Neth-ER requests clearer criteria and uniform guidelines for lifelong learning and public-private partnerships. They advocate for publishing anonymized clarifications to counteract overreaching national interpretations.12
Why — Clearer guidelines would enable public institutions to scale up innovative education and training programs.3
Impact — Member States would lose the ability to blame EU rules for restrictive policies.4
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and European Consortium of Innovative Universities

18 Sept 2025 · Informal exchange

Response to European Research Area (ERA) Act

9 Sept 2025

Neth-ER welcomes the Commission's initiative to establish the 5th freedom through the ERA Act. We welcome legislative action to address challenges in the ERA that cannot be resolved through policy measures alone. We also propose measures to streamline implementation. 1) 3% R&D target. Neth-ER strongly supports integrating the possible enforcement of the 3% R&D investment target for all Member States in the ERA Act. As an enabling condition to stimulate public investments, we suggest a clear roadmap with concrete national commitments integrated into national and regional reform plans under the new MFF, while allowing EU-level investments to finance bottom-up, unfettered research. As recommended by Draghi, the European Semester should explicitly monitor progress on R&D. 2) Investments and policies. Neth-ER encourages the Commission. We support introducing an EU-level methodological framework to measure the economic impact of R&I. This is necessary to improve understanding of the impact of public R&I investment. The framework must include research on the role of Research Performing Organisations, considering their contributions to knowledge development, and the research facilities that support industry. Each policy area needs problem analyses to assess whether EU law is an appropriate solution. 3) Framework conditions. a) Free circulation. Research careers and mobility In our view, the Act should facilitate access to the internal market for highly skilled research talents within and beyond the EU. The legal framework must be backed by a policy covering research careers, with opportunities for up- and reskilling, mutual recognition of qualifications, and inclusive research assessment and recognition criteria in line with education policy and CoARA. Open science - The Act must introduce secondary publication rights for researchers, building on ERA Action 2. Further measures should advance EU-level FAIR data policies, in close synergy with EOSC. Infrastructures - Neth-ER calls for a legal framework for research and technology infrastructures to ensure access for researchers, innovators and industry to cutting-edge facilities and services, to support scientific and technological excellence and industrial competitiveness. Valorisation Neth-ER asks for an ecosystem approach that includes the whole knowledge chain: research universities, universities of applied sciences, vocational institutions, and technology & research organisations. b) Fundamental values. Scientific freedom - We believe the ERA Act should introduce a legal right to academic freedom at the European level, including the right to conduct research across borders and share results without restriction. The Commission should develop a definition with stakeholders that respects diverse research practices and hold Member States accountable for the protection of academic freedom. Equality - We recommend that the Act stimulates Member States to improve gender equality in the R&I sector, ensuring that every talent in European research is used. c) Cooperation & research security Neth-ER urges that the Act should create a level playing field for European researchers on research security, via a framework of measures based on the 2024 Council Recommendation. The Act must respect the principle as open as possible, as closed as necessary. We ask the Commission to provide supporting guidelines for institutions that leave flexibility for their research and international cooperation strategies. Finally, to be effective, the ERA Act must align with the Innovation Act and the Strategy on Research & Technology Infrastructures to ensure a smooth transition from research to innovation and societal impact. As a prerequisite, the Act must give due attention to fundamental research and SSH. The Act should build on existing initiatives rather than create new ones. As the main challenge to ERA is its fragmentation, a targeted regulation is better than a directive to be transposed.
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Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture, and creative sectors, values, and civil society

21 Aug 2025

Neth-ER welcomes the increase of the Erasmus+ budget to EUR 40,8 billion, but fears funding will fall short and fail to meet the programme's goals. Neth-ER urges the Commission to double the next budget to expand learning mobility and inclusion for all. We also call for a sustainable future and funding for European University Alliances and Centres of Vocational Excellence. Finally, increased funding is required to ensure simplification effort. The proposed Erasmus+-programme within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) from 2028 to 2034 is set to have a budget of EUR 40,8 billion, an increase compared to the current budget. It is a step up, but Neth-ER is gravely concerned that, in its proposed form, this budget will be insufficient to deliver on the considerably expanded programme's ambitions for education and training, mobility and skills. The proposed programme will combine the existing Erasmus+ programme with the European Solidarity Corps and will be structured around two pillars: learning opportunities for all and capacity building support. Neth-ER is concerned that the proposed budget falls short for learning mobility. Learning mobility must remain as the core action of Erasmus+ and receive increased funding to continue this priority. Neth-ER would welcome a stronger focus on skills development and the implementation of lifelong learning policies. This is crucial to align with the Union of Skills; to meet the needs of the labour market and address the challenges in competitiveness. However, the proposed increase will not be sufficient to meet these ambitions. Furthermore, Neth-ER urges for funding to structurally and effectively integrate inclusion and diversity across the programme, ensuring that participants with fewer opportunities receive targeted support. This requires a clear, inclusive, intersectional and operational definition of participants with fewer opportunities and effective monitoring of progress. Neth-ER also urges for a budget increase to secure a clear direction and investment path for the European University Alliances and Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE's). Without a clear, long-term investment path, Neth-ER emphasises, these initiatives risk remaining project-based and fragmented rather than becoming permanent pillars of the European Education Area. Finally, Neth-ER asks for strong investment in practical implementation of simplification measures. This is crucial to relieve institutions of administrative burdens and improve accessibility and user experience for participating institutions and individuals, especially smaller and newcomer organisations.
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Neth-ER Urges Doubling EU Research Budget to Boost Competitiveness

21 Aug 2025
Topic — Consultation on the EU's post-2027 budget focused on funding for European competitiveness.
Message — The organization calls for a solid doubling of the research budget to meet strategic goals. They emphasize ringfencing funds across all pillars to protect frontier science and industrial priorities. They also urge doubling Erasmus+ funding to support learning mobility.123
Why — The Dutch knowledge sector would benefit from increased, stable funding for research and innovation projects.45
Impact — Students and vocational centers risk losing out if learning mobility funding remains insufficient.67
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Meeting with Henriette Van Eijl (Head of Unit Research and Innovation) and Erasmus Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam

27 May 2025 · Meeting EC-Netherlands Women’s Health Research & Innovation Center (NL-WHR&IC)-Erasmus MC - Rotterdam

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

16 May 2025 · Academic Freedom

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and European Consortium of Innovative Universities

15 May 2025 · R&I policy

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Apr 2025 · R&I policy

Meeting with Brigitte Van Den Berg (Member of the European Parliament)

31 Mar 2025 · Skills and VET

Meeting with Ingeborg Ter Laak (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2025 · Innovation, health

Meeting with Ton Diepeveen (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Mar 2025 · Kennismakingsgesprek

Meeting with Tom Berendsen (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2025 · Research and education, Horizon

Response to Single Market Strategy 2025

28 Jan 2025

The Single Market Strategy should focus not only on the four freedoms, but also on delivering the fifth freedom as proposed by Letta and Draghi. As President Von der Leyen said in Europes Choice, Europe must Put research and innovation at the heart of our economy [and] tackle the skills and labour gap to ensure our prosperity. The Single Market Strategy action plan should include an action on the fifth freedom. An action plan focused only on the four freedoms will not "fully exploit the potentials of the single market to boost Europes productivity, as the roadmap intends. Letta and Draghi both called out this shortcoming of the Single Market. As so clearly argued by Letta, four freedoms, while still crucial, are not sufficient to harness the full potential of the EU. Adding a fifth freedom to the previous ones is an indispensable extension of the established framework. Draghi also states that policies promoting research and innovation should be open, inclusive and readily accessible to researchers, businesses and regions. The removal of barriers to cross-border movement of science and research is indispensable to expand Europe's competitiveness and innovation capacities. One action must be to define the fifth freedom. The definition of the European Research Area as written in the TFEU (art. 179) provides a good basis for the definition, i.e. the free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology. The definition should be complemented with education, because the free movement of knowledge and workers depends on the educational sector, e.g. through the recognition of skills and qualifications. This is crucial given that the Single Market Strategy will complement the Union of Skills. As a second action, the Single Market Strategy must help remove obstacles to the mobility of researchers and educators and ensure the free flow of data, research, and innovation results in the entire EU internal market. Therefore, the Single Market Strategy must match the ambitions of the upcoming European Research Area Act and Innovation Act to maximise the EUs competitiveness.
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Meeting with Auke Zijlstra (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Nov 2024 · Horizon

Meeting with Brigitte Van Den Berg (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Sept 2024 · education, research and vocational training

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Sept 2024 · European R&I policy

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Jul 2024 · European R&I policy

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Jun 2024 · European science, research and innovation policy

Response to Options for support for R&D of dual-use technologies

30 Apr 2024

Further debate is necessary Neth-ER believes in general that the White Paper doesnt provide enough information to make an conclusive choice about the given options. Further discussion and conversation on the topic of dual use in the Framework Programme (FP) is highly needed, and should be held together with all relevant stakeholders of Horizon Europe. We encourage the Commission to provide additional information, an analysis of the possible implications of each choice (policy-wise and budget-wise) and to host discussions on the topic. Without the necessary facts, it is too early to make rigorous choices about the future of the highly successful FP. Neth-ER regards Option 3 as generally undesirable because this creates yet another EU funding scheme, whereas the existing frameworks are already complex enough. Because of great uncertainty about the possible consequences of implementing Option 2, Neth-ER currently leans towards Option 1, because: Open transnational research is one of the main goals of Horizon. It would be a shame to harm this freedom. Different tensions that surround the incorporation of a military focus in the FP, such as open science, freedom of research, risk of misuse, and tension in collaboration with industry partners. Requirements of defence research dont align with civil-focused research. Forming consortiums in the FP becomes too complicated when involving agreements on confidentiality, security protocols, secure facilities/networks, and dissemination. Some civil participants in the FP are unaware whether their research has risk of misuse or not. Option 1 will ensure that fundamental research remains exempt from possible limitations. Spin-in calls can be used to exploit the military application through EDF. However, as mentioned, Neth-ER finds it too early to make a well-informed choice between the two options. For example, the exclusive focus on civil application is no effective safeguard to ensure that (the results of) any Horizon-funded research involving dual-use technologies will not be used in non-civil applications. Dual-use technologies always bear the risk of being used for both civil and military applications. Thus we reiterate: further debate is necessary. Clear definition Dual-use should be defined as technologies that have a clear civil and military application given the nature and specifications of the technologies in question. In order to address worries regarding sensitive technologies, Neth-ER suggests to refer to the risk of misuse instead of potential misuse. However, most of todays important technologies can be considered dual-use. Neth-ER encourages to make a clear distinction between dual-use and dual-use potential. The last occurring when a military application is not clear yet, but a possibility. The technologies that should definitely be considered as dual-use, are clearly listed in Annex I of Regulation 2021/821 on the control of exports. The list should act as a guide for researchers in order for them to figure out whether their research has dual-use potential. Still, in order to stimulate dual-use research, the focus should be on understanding the technology, its specific areas of military and civil application, and the potential implications of its misuse. The incorporation of a flag mechanism within relevant calls in Horizon Europe is a pragmatic solution. This mechanism can significantly enhance the integration of dual-use potential within the FP, prompts researchers to carefully assess dual-use implications, while keeping the focus on civil applications. Keys to its effectiveness are: 1. Linkage to rigorous research security measures, scrutinizing consortia entities and research candidates to prevent misuse 2. A robust framework for monitoring research on dual-use technologies within Horizon Europe. Merely relying on a checkbox/promise by the grant applicant could become problematic, even when the focus remains exclusively civil
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and European University Association and

25 Mar 2024 · Science and research policy

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and Netherlands Aerospace Centre

4 Mar 2024 · Research policy

Response to Boosting European learning mobility for all

3 May 2023

In this reaction, the association Neth-ER identifies obstacles to learning mobility and possible solution directions that can be addressed in the proposal for a Council recommendation. Neth-ER (Netherlands house for Education and Research) is a representation of the Dutch knowledge community in Brussels. The aim of Neth-ER is to influence the European policymaking process in an adequate way in order for the Dutch knowledge community to optimally use European policy and instruments that Europe has to offer to the Netherlands. Kind regards, The Neth-ER Bureau.
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Response to A New European Innovation Agenda

10 May 2022

The Dutch knowledge community, associated in Neth-ER, welcomes the initiative of the New European Innovation Agenda, and supports the Commission in its effort to increase the innovation capacity of the EU to achieve the twin transitions. Financial commitment is essential Accelerating the development of the Innovation Agenda to build a pan-European knowledge and innovation infrastructure and kick-start private investment requires financial commitment at EU, national, regional and institutional level. So far the EU member states have failed to agree on a binding target for investments in RD&I, while the newest Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard again shows the need for the EU to anchor its position globally. In particular, we advise to increase late-stage investments in order to better support start-ups to scale up. Investing in a European innovation ecosystem starts with substantial investment in education, research and innovation. This means extra funding and no shifting of funding. European innovation ecosystem Creating an innovation-friendly environment requires commitment from the Commission and member states. The twin transitions offer great societal and economic opportunities to deploy and scale up innovative technologies across the EU if the right conditions are created. Current cross-border regulatory bottlenecks for innovation ecosystems can be identified and tackled in close cooperation with the knowledge, innovation and business sectors. An innovation-friendly environment also requires better checks on the impact of EU legislation on innovation, such as: digital legislation, ERA and the upcoming Valorization Strategy and Technology Infrastructures Strategy. Consistent application of the innovation principle will ensure that future legislation creates the conditions for innovation to flourish. Work with a value chain approach We underline the importance of a value chain approach and advise to include all innovation actors: vocational education, universities of applied sciences, universities and research & technology organizations. Cooperation by these actors in public-private partnerships builds regional ecosystems around all levels of education, research and innovation, penetrating the very fabric of the economy. A value chain approach also means creating TRL pathways, starting from fundamental to applied research and continuing to the market uptake of innovation. In line with this, towards widespread technology adoption, especially by SMEs, technology infrastructures play a central role. We urge the Commission to streamline and converge the current innovation landscape of the EU and national agendas by seeking synergies. Integrating regional ecosystems into a pan-EU knowledge ecosystem calls for further integration and strategic support for innovation at EU level. An integral value chain approach must be used in collaboration with society and include scouting and guidance. Prominent place for skills Green and digital innovation depends on the human capital and talents who develop innovations, bring new technology to the market and provide feedback on their application. Therefore, skills need to gain a prominent place in the Innovation Agenda. Neth-ER underlines the importance of including education and training, upskilling and reskilling in transition pathways and developing a strategy for vocational and higher education and business-education partnerships within regional industrial clusters to boost skills and enhance the uptake of ready-for-market innovations by SMEs. Centres of Vocational Excellence and European Universities can be innovation drivers when instrumented in a strategic long-term approach with sufficient financial means. In this context and with their specific role in bringing technology closer to the market, RTOs are also a strong vehicle for skills development across all TRLs, disciplines and competencies.
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Response to European Strategy for Universities

17 Nov 2021

See attachment.
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Response to Communication on the future of research and innovation and the European Research Area

9 Jul 2020

Neth-ER and its members highly value the progress made under the current ERA and would like to see further enhancement of European integration in research and innovation. The current health crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak only emphasizes the importance and added value of European cooperation and coordination in research. We have prepared a set of twelve recommendations we deem essential for the future of the ERA, gathered under three priorities: 1. A renewed impetus for the ERA: Both Member States and the EU need to recommit to the ERA and step up efforts to implement the ERA priorities. To achieve the ERA, we need the full support of all parties involved, ranging from Member States and the Commission to research and innovation stakeholders. This should be accompanied by stronger enforcement, enabling the Commission to ensure compliance of the Member States. 2. Strengthen R&D across Europe: Member States should be held accountable for strengthening their national research systems and uphold the 3% investment norm. 3. An ERA fit for the future: New realities – such as structural changes in the research sector, the geopolitical context, digitalisation – should be reflected in the ERA. These points are further elaborated on in our position paper “Towards an ambitious European Research Area – delivering on the Fifth Freedom”, which you will find in attachment. We trust you will give these recommendations your consideration and hope that they will provide inspiration for an ambitious new ERA.
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Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

12 Nov 2019 · Commission's priorities in the field of Skills and Education.

Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

19 Sept 2019 · Lunch meeting to discuss common important files for the European Union and the Netherlands.

Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

26 Jun 2019 · Courtesy meeting with the new Neth-ER director, Jurgen Rienks.

Meeting with Joost Korte (Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

14 Nov 2018 · Courtesy visit

Meeting with Robert Schröder (Cabinet of Commissioner Carlos Moedas)

14 Nov 2018 · Horizon Europe

Response to Multiannual Financial Framework: Erasmus Programme 2021-2027

16 Oct 2018

The Dutch knowledge community, associated in Neth-ER, is pleased to share its view on the Erasmus proposal. In general, we are positive about the Commission’s proposal, but some elements are still missing and especially the financial provision in the proposal needs some adjustments. In the document attached we express our opinion about the proposal.
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Meeting with Gert Jan Koopman (Director-General Budget)

29 Aug 2018 · funding research under the MFF

Meeting with Stefaan Hermans (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

15 Mar 2017 · Erasmus+ and New Skills Agenda

Meeting with Robert Schröder (Cabinet of Commissioner Carlos Moedas)

24 Aug 2016 · EU policy and research agenda

Meeting with Julie Fionda (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen), Stefaan Hermans (Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen)

1 Jul 2015 · VET (Vocational education and training)

Meeting with Tibor Navracsics (Commissioner)

26 Jan 2015 · Dutch education